expand

American  

[ik-spand] / ɪkˈspænd /

verb (used with object)

1. to increase in extent, size, volume, scope, etc..

   Heat expands most metals. He hopes to expand his company.

   Synonyms:

   enlarge, swell, extend

2. to spread or stretch out; unfold.

   A bird expands its wings.

3. to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop.

   to expand a short story into a novel.

4. Mathematics.

   1. to write (a mathematical expression) so as to show the products of its factors.

   2. to rewrite (a mathematical expression) as a sum, product, etc., of terms of a particular kind.

      to expand a function in a power series.

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verb (used without object)

1. to increase or grow in extent, bulk, scope, etc..

   Most metals expand with heat. The mind expands with experience.

2. to spread out; unfold; develop.

   The buds had not yet expanded.

3. to express something more fully or in greater detail (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to expand on a statement.

expand British  

/ ɪkˈspænd /

verb

1. to make or become greater in extent, volume, size, or scope; increase

2. to spread out or be spread out; unfold; stretch out

3. to enlarge or expatiate on (a story, topic, etc) in detail

4. (intr) to become increasingly relaxed, friendly, or talkative

5. maths to express (a function or expression) as the sum or product of terms

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Usage

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.

Related Words

Expand, dilate, distend, inflate imply becoming larger and filling more space. To expand is to spread out, usually in every direction: to expand one's chest. To dilate is especially to increase the width or circumference, and applies to space enclosed within confines or to hollow bodies: to dilate the pupils of the eyes. To distend is to stretch, often beyond the point of natural expansion: to distend an artery. To inflate is to blow out or swell a hollow body with air or gas: to inflate a balloon.

Other Word Forms

• expandability noun
• expandable adjective
• expandibility noun
• expandible adjective
• nonexpanding adjective
• overexpand verb
• preexpand verb (used with object)
• reexpand verb
• self-expanding adjective
• superexpand verb
• unexpandable adjective
• unexpanding adjective

Etymology

Origin of expand

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English expanden, from Latin expandere “to spread out,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + pandere “to extend, stretch”

Explanation

The verb expand means to make something bigger or wider. It might refer to something concrete, as when you blow into a balloon and make it expand, or something more abstract, as when you study to expand your mind. Expand is a combination of the Latin words ex-, meaning "out," and pandere, "to spread." The idea of spreading out was always there, though the current idea of something actually becoming larger was first recorded in the mid-17th century. Expand is a versatile word that can refer to anything getting bigger, from a nation's growing influence in a neighboring country to a waistline that needs a larger belt.

Example Sentences

Mulino noted that Panama was working to expand Tocumen International Airport in the capital to accommodate the arrival of new planes.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The two 50/50 partnerships will expand T-Mobile’s fiber footprint, the broadband provider said Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Ten of the 12 clubs in the WSL are affiliated with a Premier League side, and many are moving into the men's team's grounds as they expand.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

The funding is meant to expand the country’s domestic manufacturing of drone technology over the next five years.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

The only place to expand was into La Cocina.

From "The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora" by Pablo Cartaya

Related Words

• bolster
• broaden
• develop
• enlarge
• grow
• increase
• open
• spread
• swell
• widen