expanse

noun

ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s 

1

: firmament

2

: great extent of something spread out

an expanse of calm ocean

Synonyms of expanse

• expansion
• stretch
• length

Examples of expanse in a Sentence

The explorer gazed across the vast Arctic expanse.

the great explorers who crossed the vast expanses of the seven seas in small ships

Recent Examples on the Web

Nothing that’s happened so far quite prepares viewers for what’s to come (spoiler alert), as the wide open expanse turns out to be a literal minefield. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 14 Jan. 2026

These different, yet related, sights are all found within the nearly 30,000-acre expanse of Arenal Volcano National Park in north-central Costa Rica. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026

In the follow-up to his first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, Saunders again uses the liminal space between life and death — and a specter nostalgic for life as a guide — to examine grief, guilt, and the expanses and limitations of empathy. —Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026

Not just in popularity, his expanse. —Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin expansum, from Latin, neuter of expansus, past participle of expandere

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for expanse

• advance
• askance
• enhance
• finance
• freelance
• mischance
• perchance
• romance
• chance
• dance
• glance
• hance

Kids Definition

expanse

noun

ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s 

: a wide space, area, or stretch

the vast expanse of the ocean