expanse
noun
ex·panse
ik-ˈspan(t)s 
1
2
: great extent of something spread out
an expanse of calm ocean
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
But under the direction of interior designer Heidi Caillier, the iconic floral was stretched over an expanse of down in a Los Angeles workroom, shipped to a top secret mountain location, and deposited in Kendall Jenner’s new living room.
—
Christine Lennon, Architectural Digest, 8 Dec. 2025
Two more are expected in the coming weeks as the polar vortex—a wide expanse of cold, swirling air located over the poles—forces frigid air southward.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
For travelers drawn to the ends of the earth, Patagonia offers a raw, dramatic expanse of wilderness split between Chile and Argentina.
—Eric Sheets, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
The expanse of a cookie, its crumbly craters and molten rivulets, is a playground for the pastry chef.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expanse
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Christine Lennon, Architectural Digest, 8 Dec. 2025
Two more are expected in the coming weeks as the polar vortex—a wide expanse of cold, swirling air located over the poles—forces frigid air southward.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025
For travelers drawn to the ends of the earth, Patagonia offers a raw, dramatic expanse of wilderness split between Chile and Argentina.
—Eric Sheets, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025
The expanse of a cookie, its crumbly craters and molten rivulets, is a playground for the pastry chef.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expanse
Cite this Entry
“Expanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expanse. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expanse
noun
ex·panse
ik-ˈspan(t)s
: a wide space, area, or stretch
the vast expanse of the ocean
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