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
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
At the crux of those tensions are a gaping trade imbalance and efforts from the US to ensure its national security against an increasingly assertive China, including by expanding restrictions on China’s access to American high tech, like the advanced semiconductors needed to power AI.
—
Betsy Klein, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Seeing as how the first tribe swap failed to shake anything up and gave us two more obvious telegraphed votes, the producers decided to blow it all up again and expand back to three tribes.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
In the 23 years since its independence, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in nation building, expanding critical infrastructure like roads, airports, and internet access.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
In 2014, the company expanded its headquarters and invested more than $600,000 in the facility.
—Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expand
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Betsy Klein, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
Seeing as how the first tribe swap failed to shake anything up and gave us two more obvious telegraphed votes, the producers decided to blow it all up again and expand back to three tribes.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
In the 23 years since its independence, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in nation building, expanding critical infrastructure like roads, airports, and internet access.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
In 2014, the company expanded its headquarters and invested more than $600,000 in the facility.
—Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expand
Cite this Entry
“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expand. Accessed 31 Oct. 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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