expanse

noun

ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s How to pronounce expanse (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sheer expanse of places to see in Japan is astounding. Kristin Braswell, AFAR Media, 7 Oct. 2025 Between them stretches the long expanse of the table—a zone of tension, where the celestial mission of knowledge collides with the earthly reality of budgets. Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025 See the vast expanse of the park and the Icefield Ranges, Canada’s highest and youngest mountains, by flight. Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2025 The shoreline there is flanked by a maze of keys that separate the Bay of Santa Clara from the expanse of the Florida Straits. Miriam Pensack, The Dial, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expanse

Word History

Etymology

New Latin expansum, from Latin, neuter of expansus, past participle of expandere

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expanse was in 1637

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expanse. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

expanse

noun
ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s How to pronounce expanse (audio)
: a wide space, area, or stretch
the vast expanse of the ocean

More from Merriam-Webster on expanse

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