expansion

ex·pan·sion

noun \ik-ˈspan(t)-shən\

Definition of EXPANSION

1

: expanse

2

: the act or process of expanding <territorial expansion> <economic expansion> <expansion of the universe>

3

: the quality or state of being expanded

4

: the increase in volume of working fluid (as steam) in an engine cylinder after cutoff or in an internal combustion engine after explosion

5

a : an expanded part b : something that results from an act of expanding <the book is an expansion of a lecture series>

6

: the result of carrying out an indicated mathematical operation : the expression of a function in the form of a series

— ex·pan·sion·al \-ˈpanch-nəl, -chə-n^əl\ adjective

Examples of EXPANSION

1. The league is undergoing expansion.
2. the expansion of a lecture series into a book
3. This book is an expansion of a lecture series.

First Known Use of EXPANSION

1611

Related to EXPANSION

Synonyms: accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, increase, gain, increment, more, plus, proliferation, raise, rise, step-up, supplement, uptick

Antonyms: abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, depletion, diminishment, diminution, drop-off, fall, falloff, lessening, loss, lowering, reduction, shrinkage, step-down

Related Words: expansile; accumulation, assemblage, collection, gathering; complement; accession, appendix, continuation, extension, uptrend, upturn; jump, run-up, spike

Near Antonyms: deduction, subtraction

see all synonyms and antonyms

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