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

New wave and arena rock elements live alongside traditional R&B, bedroom pop and electronic moments, and Lenae, rightfully, wants the full expanse of the album’s sonic identity to be accurately represented when it’s discussed. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2026

Deciduous trees the color of fresh green apples line the riverbank, then dot the vast expanses of conifer forest that stretch up into the hills. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Everything is a little bit more rivets and angles, a little bit less wide expanse. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026

Entrepreneur Emma Grede attributed her ability to keep brands relevant to her complete assuredness in her intuition, which was honed in the expanses of her triumphs—and failures. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 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