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expand
[ ik-spand ]
verb (used with object)
- to increase in extent, size, volume, scope, etc.:
Heat expands most metals. He hopes to expand his company.
- to spread or stretch out; unfold:
A bird expands its wings.
- to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop:
to expand a short story into a novel.
- Mathematics.
- to write (a mathematical expression) so as to show the products of its factors. Compare factor ( def 10 ).
- 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)
- to increase or grow in extent, bulk, scope, etc.:
Most metals expand with heat. The mind expands with experience.
- to spread out; unfold; develop:
The buds had not yet expanded.
- to express something more fully or in greater detail (usually followed by on or upon ):
to expand on a statement.
expand
/ ɪkˈspænd /
verb
- to make or become greater in extent, volume, size, or scope; increase
- to spread out or be spread out; unfold; stretch out
- introften foll byon to enlarge or expatiate on (a story, topic, etc) in detail
- intr to become increasingly relaxed, friendly, or talkative
- maths to express (a function or expression) as the sum or product of terms
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Derived Forms
- exˈpandable, adjective
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Other Words From
- ex·panda·ble ex·pandi·ble adjective
- ex·panda·bili·ty ex·pandi·bili·ty noun
- nonex·panding adjective
- over·ex·pand verb
- preex·pand verb (used with object)
- reex·pand verb
- self-ex·panding adjective
- super·ex·pand verb
- unex·panda·ble adjective
- unex·panding adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of expand1
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Synonym Study
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Example Sentences
Then the novel coronavirus forced dozens of states to quickly expand absentee voting, and the slowdowns got more dramatic.
In response to the coronavirus, nearly half of all states expanded access to mail ballots for their primaries, either by allowing fear of the coronavirus as a reason or proactively sending an application or ballot to every registered voter.
Insider has had its sights on Asia Pacific to expand its tech and business coverage for some time.
They were nominated just as the program prepared to expand one of its available investment funds to also reflect about two dozen emerging-market countries, including China.
A key finding involves a long-standing practice — which was expanded by Congress several times — to deputize Boeing employees to act in behalf of FAA while reviewing aircraft designs.
He once experimented with dressing as “Hilda the Wicked Witch” as a way to expand his business to Halloween.
It also provides a critical opportunity to expand the ranks of the middle class.
Dr. Grenci, who agrees, also saw it as a way to expand her own knowledge on the subculture and what makes it so appealing.
The center for Justice and Accountability in San Francisco, and other human rights organizations went to work to expand the law.
And the CENTCOM commander said that ISIS figures could expand dramatically based on the nature of its actions.
His slight, thin, rather graceless figure seemed suddenly to expand, even to grow taller.
In one, which occurs not infrequently, a thickened arm is made to expand into something like a fan-shaped hand, as in Fig. 18.
Thus the increase of temperature that augments the elasticity of a fluid confined, would expand it in the same degree.
Those modern marine engines use about the same steam pressure and expand about in the same proportion.
Dr. May looked at his son, and saw his face clear up, his brow expand, and his lips unclose with admiration.
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More About Expand
What does expand mean?
To expand is to increase the extent or dimensions of something, as when a balloon expands when you blow air into it.
Expand can describe the increasing size of something in height, width, length, scope, boundary, or any other measurable unit of size, as when you expand an app menu by clicking on a down arrow.
To expand can also mean to stretch out or unfold, such as when a bird expands its wings when it gets ready to fly.
Figuratively, to expand means to develop or to express more fully, as in Disney really expanded the Star Wars universe when it bought the rights to it.
A common use of expand is in the phrase expand upon, meaning to give greater detail or context. When teachers tell you to expand upon your essay’s theme, for example, they want you to describe the theme in more detail or give the theme more context so that readers will understand it better.
Example: Click and drag the corner of the square to expand it on the digital canvas.
Where does expand come from?
The first records of the term expand come from the mid-1400s. It ultimately comes from the Latin expandere meaning “to extend or stretch.”
You will likely hear expand used to talk about how smaller stories are developed into larger ones, like a novel expanded into a series of movies, as with J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Favorite fictional universes are also expanded to be told in more media, as with Marvel Comics, which has expanded from comic books to movies and TV shows and more.
You’ll also likely hear expand used to talk about actions you can take online or in an app. Menus can be expanded to show all the options. Boxes and windows can be expanded, meaning you make them bigger. Photos and other digital images are also often expanded.
And let’s not forget expansion packs, which expand the original. An expansion pack for a card game might be an additional set of cards. Computer and console games can also be expanded with new stories in the expansion pack.
The best thing you can expand, though, is your mind. The more curious you are, the more you can learn and the better you can understand the world. We hope this article has helped expand your knowledge of the word expand!
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to expand?
- expandable (adjective)
- expandability (noun)
- overexpand (verb)
- reexpand (verb)
- self-expanding (adjective)
What are some synonyms for expand?
What are some words that share a root or word element with expand?
What are some words that often get used in discussing expand?
How is expand used in real life?
Expand is typically used when describing the layout, design, or structure of something and takes on different meanings, both literal and figurative, depending on the context.
This Chandra & @NASAHubble image showcases the complex bipolar planetary nebula Menzel 3, also known as the Ant Nebula. Spanning about 2 light years (~19 trillion kilometers), this not so garden-variety ant is expanding at roughly 50 kilometers per second! #NebulaNovember pic.twitter.com/AO5scr1E3V
— Chandra Observatory (@chandraxray) November 30, 2021
Most NCAA Tournament Wins Since 1985
Duke: 88
UNC: 77
Kansas: 74
Kentucky: 74
(#MarchMadness expanded to 64 teams in '85)— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 15, 2016
Appropriate nicknames for dogs:
Borfers
Squeakers
Snoot Bois
Snoofinators
BubsFeel free to expand this list
— Mark (@markiplier) February 10, 2018
Try using expand!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for expand?
A. increase
B. grow
C. broaden
D. shrink
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