extent

[ ik-stent ]

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 ( def 12 ).
6. Archaic. assessment or valuation, as of land.

extent

/ 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. See extension
   logic another word for extension

Other Words From

• preex·tent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of extent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of extent¹

C14: from Old French extente, from Latin extentus extensive, from extendere to extend

Idioms and Phrases

see to some degree (extent) .

Example Sentences

He said more analysis is needed to determine the extent that excessive speeding contributed to the increase in speed-related crashes, but last year’s data shows a troubling trend.

From Washington Post

In the ocean, organisms accumulate these pieces in their bodies over their lifetimes, sometimes to harmful or lethal extents, and in turn microplastic also shows up in the seafood we eat.

From Popular-Science

Most students probably will not see the changes until the fall, when the university has said it expects to reopen “to the fullest extent possible.”

From Washington Post

Both sides are to a certain extent under the illusion if you got rid of Section 230, that would magically fix all of their problems.

From ProPublica

“We as a state must be able to assure, to the greatest extent possible, that we maintain an unbiased, balanced and fair taxation system,” said Brad Witt, a state representative who leads Oregon’s House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

From ProPublica

My dad was a sailor, and all through my childhood he was away half of the time at sea, and to an extent I have a similar job.

From The Daily Beast

And, as Gow adds wryly from his own personal experience, “To a huge extent they achieved that aim very well.”

From The Daily Beast

That was the extent of it during the peak of the flames, and the numbers that swooshed around in the press the next day.

From The Daily Beast

I did not think that it would go to the extent it did, but our office was not shocked.

From The Daily Beast

To what extent was the testimony the grand jury heard corroborated or contradicted by forensic evidence?

From The Daily Beast

But what a magnificent plain is this we are entering upon: it is of immense extent.

From Project Gutenberg

Adequate conception of the extent, the variety, the excellence of the works of Art here heaped together is impossible.

From Project Gutenberg

Tobacco is a strong growing plant resisting heat and drought to a far (p. 018) greater extent than most plants.

From Project Gutenberg

M'Bongo and his whole court are now clothed, I am happy to say, at least to a certain extent.

From Project Gutenberg

And it is too true that ages of subjugation have demoralized, to a fearful extent, the Italian People.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

More About Extent

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.

Where does extent come from?

The first records of the term extent come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Latin extendere, meaning “to extend.”

Extent has specific meanings in the law. In the United States, an extent is a formal order, or writ, that allows a creditor to take over a debtor’s lands, either temporarily or permanently, when the debtor can’t pay the debt.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to extent?

• preextent (noun)

What are some synonyms for extent?

• amount
• intensity
• length
• measure
• size

What are some words that share a root or word element with extent? 

• extend

What are some words that often get used in discussing extent?

• amount
• measurement
• size
• term

What are some words extent may be commonly confused with?

• extant
• extend

How is extent used in real life?

Extent is almost always used in discussions about measurement, even when dealing with debt.

The WHO warned Monday that global risks posed by the Omicron variant were "very high," though the extent of the threat is unknown. Officials urged countries to step up surveillance, testing and vaccinations in response to the new variant. https://t.co/5wmYP35Q86

— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 29, 2021

i want to live in a culture where the amount of power someone has is directly proportional to the extent they're able to be empathetic

— 🔴Live ttv/tytyoakley | (@tyleroakley) December 20, 2016

Never doubt the extent of your impact

— Nash Grier (@Nashgrier) November 28, 2017

 

Try using extent!

Is extent used correctly in the following sentence?

Caleb didn’t study to a great extent for the final exam, but he managed to pass it anyway.