expanded
Americanadjective
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increased in area, bulk, or volume; enlarged.
an expanded version of a story.
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spread out; extended.
the expanded frontiers of the Roman Empire.
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Printing. Also (of type) wider in proportion to its height.
adjective
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Also: extended. (of printer's type) wider than usual for a particular height Compare condensed
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(of a plastic) having been foamed during manufacture by the introduction of a gas in order to make a light packaging material or heat insulator See also expanded metal
expanded polystyrene
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of expanded
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; expand + -ed 2
Explanation
Something that is expanded has been increased in size. For example, an expanded edition DVD has many more special features than the standard edition. You might prefer the expanded edition of the diary, since it contains all the extra little tidbits they were afraid to include in the original, smaller version. An expanded retail zone will mean more stores with more options. On the other hand it will likely also mean an expanded zone of chaos and cars.
Vocabulary lists containing expanded
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF slipped 0.2%, with an analyst noting Palantir’s call was negative for enterprise software.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
Maria “Lou” Calanche: Calanche is the executive director of the nonprofit Expanded Learning Alliance, or Expand LA, which works to give children greater access to after-school educational programs.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
Expanded after the Civil War, the city was known for bourbon, tobacco and horses.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF is down over 20% this year.
From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026
Expanded in a series of bestselling books, this notion turned the lines into a major tourist attraction.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
