extent

American  

[ik-stent] / ɪkˈstɛnt /

noun

1. the space or degree to which a thing extends; length, area, volume, or scope.

   the extent of his lands; to be right to a certain extent.

   Synonyms:

   length, reach, stretch, expanse, range, compass, amount, measure, magnitude

2. something extended, as a space; a particular length, area, or volume; something having extension.

   the limitless extent of the skies.

3. U.S. Law. a writ, or a levy, by which a debtor's lands are valued and transferred to the creditor, absolutely or for a term of years.

4. English Law.

   1. Also called writ of extent.  a writ to recover debts of a record due to the crown, under which land, property, etc., may be seized.

   2. a seizure made under such a writ.

5. Logic. extension.

6. Archaic. assessment or valuation, as of land.

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extent British  

/ ɪkˈstɛnt /

noun

1. the range over which something extends; scope

   the extent of the damage

2. an area or volume

   a vast extent of concrete

3. law a writ authorizing a person to whom a debt is due to assume temporary possession of his debtor's lands

4. logic another word for extension

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extent Idioms  

1. see to some degree (extent).

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Usage

What is extent? Extent is the length, area, volume, or scope something reaches to, as in The extent of Sheree’s knowledge of science fiction was very deep.Extent is a very common term that can refer to measurements, concepts, ideals, plans, and many other fields that measure anything, literal or figurative.Extent can also refer to something that has a lengthening, stretching out, or enlarging scope, especially when the boundaries aren’t known. You might hear someone talk about the limitless extent of space, for example.The phrase the extent of means that something has reached the extreme or the border of how far it can go, as in I can raise your allowance by $5, but that’s the extent of what I can do.Example: We know that the pan can get hot, but we are unsure to what extent.

Other Word Forms

• preextent noun

Etymology

Origin of extent

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English extente “assessment,” from Medieval Latin extenta, noun use of feminine of Latin extentus “stretched out,” past participle of extendere “to stretch out”; extend

Example Sentences

The episodes underscore the extent to which the Epstein saga has roiled members of Congress.

From Los Angeles Times

“If I were Paramount ... I would view this as a tea leaf that there might be a little bit of an opening here, to the extent we were to be aggressive,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He said that although it was difficult to fully investigate the extent of investigator Whittamore's use by Daily Mail journalists, he "brought the shutters down" to end the practice.

From BBC

But the advocacy group No One Above says "multiple perpetrators" and facilitators were involved, and they believe the Met's inquiry will fail to uncover the full extent of the network.

From BBC

Carthage’s influence in the Mediterranean, which had already peaked by the time Hannibal crossed the Alps in 218 B.C., is measured by the extent to which it threatened Rome’s ascendance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• amount
• breadth
• degree
• duration
• expansion
• intensity
• length
• matter
• measure
• quantity
• scope
• size
• term