expand

[ ik-spand ]

verb (used with object)

1. to increase in extent, size, volume, scope, etc.:

   Heat expands most metals. He hopes to expand his company.

   Synonyms: enlarge, swell, extend

2. to spread or stretch out; unfold:

   A bird expands its wings.

3. to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop:

   to expand a short story into a novel.

4. Mathematics.
   1. to write (a mathematical expression) so as to show the products of its factors. Compare factor ( def 10 ).
   2. to rewrite (a mathematical expression) as a sum, product, etc., of terms of a particular kind:

      to expand a function in a power series.

verb (used without object)

1. to increase or grow in extent, bulk, scope, etc.:

   Most metals expand with heat. The mind expands with experience.

2. to spread out; unfold; develop:

   The buds had not yet expanded.

3. to express something more fully or in greater detail (usually followed by on or upon ):

   to expand on a statement.

expand

/ ɪkˈspænd /

verb

1. to make or become greater in extent, volume, size, or scope; increase
2. to spread out or be spread out; unfold; stretch out
3. introften foll byon to enlarge or expatiate on (a story, topic, etc) in detail
4. intr to become increasingly relaxed, friendly, or talkative
5. maths to express (a function or expression) as the sum or product of terms

Derived Forms

• exˈpandable, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·panda·ble ex·pandi·ble adjective
• ex·panda·bili·ty ex·pandi·bili·ty noun
• nonex·panding adjective
• over·ex·pand verb
• preex·pand verb (used with object)
• reex·pand verb
• self-ex·panding adjective
• super·ex·pand verb
• unex·panda·ble adjective
• unex·panding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expand¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English expanden, from Latin expandere “to spread out,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + pandere “to extend, stretch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of expand¹

C15: from Latin expandere to spread out, from pandere to spread, extend

Synonym Study

Expand, dilate, distend, inflate imply becoming larger and filling more space. To expand is to spread out, usually in every direction: to expand one's chest. To dilate is especially to increase the width or circumference, and applies to space enclosed within confines or to hollow bodies: to dilate the pupils of the eyes. To distend is to stretch, often beyond the point of natural expansion: to distend an artery. To inflate is to blow out or swell a hollow body with air or gas: to inflate a balloon.

Example Sentences

In their hands it became a weapon to justify their agendas — or at least a useful tool to expand their movements.

From Salon

The population, then at around 211 million, continued to expand, and many who at first worried for the carrying capacity of the planet became preoccupied with walling off the country and keeping the global population at bay.

From Salon

He has been a consistent supporter of many Israelis’ ambitions to expand into territories that would form part of any future Palestinian state.

From BBC

Schur says he had one rule as he and the writers set out to adapt the documentary into a half-hour sitcom: “We’re gonna have to change a bunch of stuff, we’re gonna have to expand a bunch of stuff, we’re going to create new characters that are not in the documentary, but the documentary is the North Star. That doesn’t mean the story as much as it means the feeling, which I don’t even know if I could describe, but I know what it is when I feel it.”

From Los Angeles Times

It marks a milestone for Netflix’s efforts to expand its live programming as it tries to boost its growing advertising business.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bolster
• broaden
• develop
• enlarge
• grow
• increase
• open
• spread
• swell
• widen