expander

noun ex·pand·er \ ik-ˈspan-dər \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

Definition of expander

: one that expands; specifically : any of several colloidal substances (such as dextran) of high molecular weight used as a blood or plasma substitute for increasing the blood volume

Recent Examples of expander from the Web

Several factors provided a measure of political cover for House expanders.

— laura vozzella, Washington Post, "A key Virginia GOP state senator says he is willing to break ranks and vote to expand Medicaid," 6 Apr. 2018
The first phase begins around age 8, lasts about 12 months, and often includes a combination of braces and a palate expander, a therapy used to widen the upper jaw.

— anna nguyen, Philly.com, "What's the latest in orthodontic care?," 6 Apr. 2018
On a long-term note, Jupiter — Mr. Lucky, the great expander — remains in determined Scorpio through most of the year, a positive placement.

— minerva, San Francisco Chronicle, "Minerva’s astrological predictions for 2018," 4 Jan. 2018
More procedures followed, including placement of tissue expanders below the skin where their foreheads joined.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Born joined at the head, twins can now sit side by side. Next stop: home.," 22 Oct. 2017
Like water balloons filled with saline solution, the expanders slowly stretched the skin to cover the gap when the twins were separated.

— bruce henderson, charlotteobserver, "Born joined at the head, twins can now sit side by side. Next stop: home.," 22 Oct. 2017
In the Belmont Plaza drugstore Road Runner is now outfitting her with eye expanders, false lashes from Andrea’s European Hair collection.

— gail sheehy, Daily Intelligencer, "Wide Open City/Part II: Redpants and Sugarman," 9 Sep. 2017
So here goes with a far from complete itemization of the year’s great conversation starters — and continuers and expanders — in the New York theater.

— ben brantley and charles isherwood, New York Times, "The Best Theater of 2016," 6 Dec. 2016
A small needle is used to fill the expander with sterile saline.

— andrea schwalm, WIRED, "Lori Dorn, The TSA, and the Five Stages of Grief," 7 Oct. 2011

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expander.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of expander

1862

in the meaning defined above

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expander

noun ex·pand·er \ ik-ˈspan-dər \

medical Definition of expander

: any of several colloidal substances (as dextran) of high molecular weight used as a blood or plasma substitute for increasing the blood volume — called also extender

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