expanded; expanding; expands
1
: to open up : unfold
2
: to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of : enlarge
3
a
: to express at length or in greater detail
b
: to write out in full
expand all abbreviations
c
: to subject to mathematical expansion
expand a function in a power series
1
: to open out : spread
2
: to increase in extent, number, volume, or scope
3
: to speak or write fully or in detail
expanded on the theme
4
: to feel generous or optimistic
Synonyms
Examples of expand in a Sentence
The liquid expands and contracts with changes in temperature.
His business has expanded to serve the entire state.
The coffee shop may expand into a full restaurant.
He has expanded his business to serve the entire state.
There are plans to expand the airport.
The police have decided to expand their investigation.
She plans to expand the lecture series into a book.
Expand the abbreviation “deg.” to “degree.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Immigrant advocates have pushed to shore up those protections with a federal bill that would expand visa eligibility for workers cooperating with regulators to expose labor violations, so far without success.
—
Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Look, $100 million on initiatives like expanding atheism in Nepal.
—Linda Qiu, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Echevarria previously was the CEO of the University of Miami, a position created in 2022, which expanded Echevarria’s job as CEO of UHealth, UM’s medical arm, to oversee the university.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
The Irish capital joins Madrid and Berlin as first-time hosts next season as the league expands its global footprint.
—Dave Skretta, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for expand 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Look, $100 million on initiatives like expanding atheism in Nepal.
—Linda Qiu, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Echevarria previously was the CEO of the University of Miami, a position created in 2022, which expanded Echevarria’s job as CEO of UHealth, UM’s medical arm, to oversee the university.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
The Irish capital joins Madrid and Berlin as first-time hosts next season as the league expands its global footprint.
—Dave Skretta, Baltimore Sun, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for expand
Dictionary Entries Near expand
Cite this Entry
“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expand. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expand
verb
ex·pand
ik-ˈspand 
1
: to open wide : unfold
a bird with wings expanded
2
: to increase in size, number, or amount
substances expand when heated
the expanding universe
their work expanded
3
: to work out in greater detail
expand an argument
4
: to perform the indicated mathematical operations of : write out in full
expand both sides of an equation
expander
noun
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