extent

[ ik-stent ]

noun

1. the space or degree to which a thing extends; length, area, volume, or scope:

   the extent of his lands; to be right to a certain extent.

   Synonyms: length, reach, stretch, expanse, range, compass, amount, measure, magnitude

2. something extended, as a space; a particular length, area, or volume; something having extension:

   the limitless extent of the skies.

3. U.S. Law. a writ, or a levy, by which a debtor's lands are valued and transferred to the creditor, absolutely or for a term of years.
4. English Law.
   1. Also called writ of extent. a writ to recover debts of a record due to the crown, under which land, property, etc., may be seized.
   2. a seizure made under such a writ.
5. Logic. extension ( def 12 ).
6. Archaic. assessment or valuation, as of land.

extent

/ ɪkˈstɛnt /

noun

1. the range over which something extends; scope

   the extent of the damage

2. an area or volume

   a vast extent of concrete

3. law a writ authorizing a person to whom a debt is due to assume temporary possession of his debtor's lands
4. logic another word for extension

Other Words From

• preex·tent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extent¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extente “assessment,” from Medieval Latin extenta, noun use of feminine of Latin extentus “stretched out,” past participle of extendere “to stretch out”; extend

Word History and Origins

Origin of extent¹

C14: from Old French extente, from Latin extentus extensive, from extendere to extend

Idioms and Phrases

see to some degree (extent) .

Example Sentences

However, she added “the question whether, how and to what extent any individual project contributes to climate change is a complex one”.

From BBC

What Trump does about this campaign—whether he is fully aware of its extent and depth—is as yet unknown.

From Slate

To the extent Threads is a home for “news,” it is because it is a nexus for the weirdest liberal election conspiracy theories out there.

From Slate

“Any physician found doing so will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

From Salon

In the weeks and months that followed the Woolsey fire, there was much debate about whether anything could have been done to minimize the extent of the devastation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• amount
• breadth
• degree
• duration
• expansion
• intensity
• length
• matter
• measure
• quantity
• scope
• size
• term