expand
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.
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.
Origin of expand
1synonym study For expand
Other words for expand
Other words from expand
- ex·pand·a·ble, ex·pand·i·ble, adjective
- ex·pand·a·bil·i·ty, ex·pand·i·bil·i·ty, noun
- non·ex·pand·ing, adjective
- o·ver·ex·pand, verb
- pre·ex·pand, verb (used with object)
- re·ex·pand, verb
- self-ex·pand·ing, adjective
- su·per·ex·pand, verb
- un·ex·pand·a·ble, adjective
- un·ex·pand·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with expand
- expand , expend
Words Nearby expand
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use expand in a sentence
He once experimented with dressing as “Hilda the Wicked Witch” as a way to expand his business to Halloween.
Kerry Bentivolio: The Congressman Who Believes in Santa Claus | Ben Jacobs | December 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt also provides a critical opportunity to expand the ranks of the middle class.
The Rustbelt Roars Back From the Dead | Joel Kotkin, Richey Piiparinen | December 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTDr. 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.
ISIS Has 9,000 ‘Core Fighters.’ Or Maybe 17,000. Or Possibly 30,000. | Tim Mak | November 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
His slight, thin, rather graceless figure seemed suddenly to expand, even to grow taller.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonIn one, which occurs not infrequently, a thickened arm is made to expand into something like a fan-shaped hand, as in Fig. 18.
Children's Ways | James SullyThus the increase of temperature that augments the elasticity of a fluid confined, would expand it in the same degree.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickThose modern marine engines use about the same steam pressure and expand about in the same proportion.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickDr. May looked at his son, and saw his face clear up, his brow expand, and his lips unclose with admiration.
The Daisy Chain | Charlotte Yonge
British Dictionary definitions for expand
/ (ɪkˈspænd) /
to make or become greater in extent, volume, size, or scope; increase
to spread out or be spread out; unfold; stretch out
(intr often foll by on) 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
Origin of expand
1Derived forms of expand
- expandable, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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