expansion

noun

ex·​pan·​sion ik-ˈspan(t)-shən How to pronounce expansion (audio)
1
2
: the act or process of expanding
territorial expansion
economic expansion
expansion of the universe
3
: the quality or state of being expanded
4
: the increase in volume of working fluid (such as steam) in an engine cylinder after cutoff or in an internal combustion engine after explosion
5
a
: an expanded part
b
: something that results from an act of expanding
the book is an expansion of a lecture series
6
: the result of carrying out an indicated mathematical operation : the expression of a function in the form of a series
expansional adjective

Examples of expansion in a Sentence

The league is undergoing expansion. the expansion of a lecture series into a book This book is an expansion of a lecture series.
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.
Here are the seven golden rules that will help young marketers and business heads get global expansion right for their brands. Bhavesh Gupta, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 The partnership, which signals an expansion into regional cinema for both companies, will include a Gujarati-language feature among its slate. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Apr. 2025 When the expansion Jags, with Boselli as a rookie left tackle, began playing in 1995, nobody expected much. Michael Silver, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025 Republicans have been remarkably cavalier about the impact of cutting the expansion match. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expansion

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expansion was in 1611

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Cite this Entry

“Expansion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expansion. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

expansion

noun
ex·​pan·​sion ik-ˈspan-chən How to pronounce expansion (audio)
1
: the act of expanding
2
: the state of being expanded
3
: something expanded or a result of expanding
4
: the result of carrying out indicated mathematical operations
the expansion of (a + b)2 is a2 + 2ab + b2

Medical Definition

expansion

noun
ex·​pan·​sion ik-ˈspan-chən How to pronounce expansion (audio)
1
: the act or process of expanding
2
: the quality or state of being expanded

More from Merriam-Webster on expansion

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