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

Yet the history of the land — and the people who have resided on the vast expanse that became the United States — stretches back much further. — Joe Yogerst, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

For example, the warmer temperatures in the El Niño region are happening in the context of warmer than normal temperatures across vast expanses in the Pacific. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 25 June 2026

Tucked into an endless expanse of rolling wheat fields, the small farming town of Walla Walla has no business being one of America’s great food and wine destinations. — Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Long horizontal rooflines mirror the sea, while moments of compression suddenly give way to expanses of sky and water. — Mona Basharat, Architectural Digest, 25 June 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