expanse

American  

[ik-spans] / ɪkˈspæns /

noun

1. an uninterrupted space or area; a wide extent of anything.

   an expanse of water.

   Synonyms:

   stretch, range, reach, sweep

2. something that is spread out, especially over a relatively large area.

   that great expanse, the sky.

3. expansion; extension.

   the wide expanse of scientific knowledge.

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expanse British  

/ ɪkˈspæns /

noun

1. an uninterrupted surface of something that spreads or extends, esp over a wide area; stretch

   an expanse of water

2. expansion or extension

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Etymology

Origin of expanse

1660–70; < New Latin expānsum, noun use of neuter of Latin expānsus, past participle of expandere to expand

Example Sentences

The view outside his window is a vast expanse of white as far as the eye can see, smoothed over by an equally vast layer of pure blue.

From BBC

He could close his eyes and picture the vast expanse of the desk, almost completely empty.

From Literature

Steph Serra recalls a time in Venice Beach’s mythical skateboarding history — long before the sandy expanse on Ocean Front Walk became the world-famous skate park, a concrete playground where pro skaters are born.

From Los Angeles Times

I knew I would love the expanse of time to do what I wanted.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dotting the shoreline is a bleak expanse of detritus: timeworn pumps, tottering derricks, wayward cranes and aging pipelines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• plain
• stretch
• tract
• wilderness