expanse

noun

ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s 

1

: firmament

2

: great extent of something spread out

an expanse of calm ocean

Synonyms

• 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

But the Connector will run through a critical portion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, an 18-million-acre expanse of state land that provides habitat for many fragile plants and animals, said Jason Lauritsen, the chief conservation officer with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. —Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025

My route from the airport passed thick cornfields, lush trees, and expanses of green grass. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2025

Despite the expanse it’s located on, there's a wonderful intimacy to the property, with only 13 lodging structures. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2025

While the trail continues to be built, the inaugural expanse of markers placed into sidewalks or affixed to buildings runs from Peoria through Chicago to Rockford. —Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025

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

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