expanded; expanding; expands
1
: to open up : unfold
2
: to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of : enlarge
3
a
: to express at length or in greater detail
b
: to write out in full
expand all abbreviations
c
: to subject to mathematical expansion
expand a function in a power series
1
: to open out : spread
2
: to increase in extent, number, volume, or scope
3
: to speak or write fully or in detail
expanded on the theme
4
: to feel generous or optimistic
Examples of expand in a Sentence
The liquid expands and contracts with changes in temperature.
His business has expanded to serve the entire state.
The coffee shop may expand into a full restaurant.
He has expanded his business to serve the entire state.
There are plans to expand the airport.
The police have decided to expand their investigation.
She plans to expand the lecture series into a book.
Expand the abbreviation “deg.” to “degree.”
Recent Examples on the Web
The Educational Freedom Accounts program significantly expand state taxpayer funding of student tuition and other costs related to private schools and some home-school expenses.
—
Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Related recalls were first issued on August 19 and have since been expanded on eight occasions, with Lawrence Wholesale's recall the latest in the list.
—Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
In recent months, China expanded visa waivers to tourists from much of Europe, Asia, and parts of the Middle East, sought to attract more international students to its universities and exchange programs, and boosted its trade and diplomatic relationships with the rest of the world.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Amorim may turn the rising tide; a Premier League wins list which only includes six of the current top-flight teams may quickly expand; a playing system currently receiving devotion without much sign of deserving it may soon bear fruit.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expand
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
Related recalls were first issued on August 19 and have since been expanded on eight occasions, with Lawrence Wholesale's recall the latest in the list.
—Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
In recent months, China expanded visa waivers to tourists from much of Europe, Asia, and parts of the Middle East, sought to attract more international students to its universities and exchange programs, and boosted its trade and diplomatic relationships with the rest of the world.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
Amorim may turn the rising tide; a Premier League wins list which only includes six of the current top-flight teams may quickly expand; a playing system currently receiving devotion without much sign of deserving it may soon bear fruit.
—Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expand
Cite this Entry
“Expand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expand. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expand
verb
ex·pand
ik-ˈspand 
1
: to open wide : unfold
a bird with wings expanded
2
: to increase in size, number, or amount
substances expand when heated
the expanding universe
their work expanded
3
: to work out in greater detail
expand an argument
4
: to perform the indicated mathematical operations of : write out in full
expand both sides of an equation
expander
noun
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