enlargement

[en-lahrj-muhnt]

noun

1. an act of enlarging; increase, expansion, or amplification.

2. anything, as a photograph, that is an enlarged form of something.

3. anything that enlarges something else; addition.

   The new wing formed a considerable enlargement to the building.

Other Word Forms

• preenlargement noun
• proenlargement adjective
• reenlargement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enlargement¹

First recorded in 1530–40; enlarge + -ment

Example Sentences

By supposedly holding the line against the enlargement of the European Union and the expansion of NATO, Russia was seen as standing up to the West.

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He developed close ties with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and said Nato's enlargement was one of the main reasons for the war in Ukraine.

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Moscow is demanding that what it calls the "root causes" of the Ukraine war be addressed: an all-encompassing phrase with which Russia broaden its demands to include a halt to Nato enlargement eastwards.

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The European commissioner for enlargement, Marta Kos, criticised the bill's adoption.

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He welcomed comments made by Trump's envoy to Ukraine, retired Gen Keith Kellogg, who described Russian concerns over Nato enlargement as "fair".

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Related Words

• augmentation 
• growth