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expand Definition

ex·pand (ek spand′, ik-)

transitive verb

  1. to spread out; open out; stretch out; unfold the eagle expanded its wings
  2. to make greater in size, bulk, scope, etc.; enlarge; dilate; extend
  3. to enlarge upon (a topic, idea, etc.); develop in detail
  4. to work out or show the full form of (a contraction, mathematical equation, etc.)

Etymology: ME expanden < L expandere < ex-, out + pandere, to spread, extend; akin to patere: see fathom

intransitive verb

  1. to become expanded; spread out, unfold, enlarge, etc.
  2. to become affable, warmly communicative, etc.

expand Related Forms
ex·pand′·able adjective ex·pand′·abil′·ity noun ex·pand′er noun
expand Synonyms

expand

v.

extend, augment, enlarge, increase, dilate, swell, distend, inflate, grow, develop, elaborate, enlarge upon, spread out, stretch out, open, unfold, unfurl; see also develop 1, 4, grow 1, increase 1.

expand implies an increasing in size, bulk, or volume and is the broadest term here, being applicable when the enlarging force operates from either the inside or the outside or when the increase comes about by unfolding, puffing out, spreading, or opening; swell implies expansion beyond the normal limits or size; distend implies a swelling as a result of pressure from within that forces a bulging outward; inflate suggests the use of air or gas, or of something insubstantial, to distend or swell a thing; dilate suggests a widening or stretching of something circular

expand Usage Examples

Object

  • scope: Furthermore, we are expanding the scope of our studies of dynamic combinatorial chemistry.
  • universe: We live in an expanding universe that gets bigger and bigger and bigger with every passing day.
  • capacity: The bit rates available expand existing access capacity by a factor of 50 or more without new cabling.
  • portfolio: Arriva is a fast-growing transport services organization with an expanding portfolio of services in the UK and mainland Europe.
  • coverage: For them quot utilization for individuals been screened to quot expanding coverage.
  • empire: The British empire expanded to cover almost a quarter of the globe while British industry and finance were world leaders.

Preposition: on

  • theme: Expanding on this theme is the historical aspect of the competition.

Modifying Another Word

  • rapidly: The role of packaging in the food industry has expanded rapidly in recent times.
  • greatly: The Spa Valley hopes the 33 will enhance interest in their greatly expanded 2004 diesel diagrams.
  • considerably: The new Edinburgh North & Leith constituency will however expand considerably from its present size.
  • steadily: The trust boundary, of hardware and software considered to be known and verified, is steadily expanded.
  • dramatically: In this era of globalization human trafficking has been expanding dramatically.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • upon: It reinforces, and expands upon, the title.

Infinitive complement

  • accommodate: It plans to expand to accommodate 10,000 in total.
  • fill: Whatever size your toolstore, you will find that tools apparently expand to fill it.
  • include: The series expanded to include Tunbridge Wells with the support of BMW.
  • incorporate: The contract covers 30,000 households but will expand to incorporate the full 84,000 of the authority's households.
  • cover: It was further expanded to cover most of the British coastline.
  • meet: Many companies reach a point in their growth at which they need outside financing to expand to meet their potential.

Present participle complement

  • exist: Chi square p of plans available have expanded existing in canada should.