extent

noun

ex·​tent ik-ˈstent 

1

a

: the range over which something extends : scope

the extent of her jurisdiction

b

: the amount of space or surface that something occupies or the distance over which it extends : magnitude

the extent of the forest

c

: the point, degree, or limit to which something extends

using talents to the greatest extent

2

a

: seizure (as of land) in execution of a writ of extent in Great Britain

also : the condition of being so seized

b

: a writ giving to the creditor temporary possession of the debtor's property

3

archaic : valuation (as of land) in Great Britain especially for taxation

Synonyms of extent

• limit
• limitation
• confines
• boundary

Examples of extent in a Sentence

She tried to determine the extent of the damage.

the full extent of human knowledge

He questions the extent to which these remedies are needed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Republicans changed Medi-Cal eligibility — which includes imposing work requirements on many recipients — in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to an extent the Legislative Analyst’s Office says will kick millions of people off the insurance roles. —Andrew Graham march 9, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026

The extent of the uplift in last month’s consumer inflation will probably prove temporary, since it was caused in large part by the timing of the Lunar New Year. —Bloomberg News, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

Legal experts have raised concerns that the campaign is testing the extent of presidential war powers because Congress has not declared war. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 9 Mar. 2026

Although Burdette and others have worked to expose the extent of PFAS pollution and a consent agreement was put in place in 2019 to reduce Chemours’s dumping, the company was cited for violating the consent order in 2021, and is actively seeking to expand production at its facility. —Patrick Sisson, Scientific American, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French estente, extente land valuation, from extendre, estendre to survey, evaluate, literally, to extend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing extent

• to a certain extent
• to a greater/lesser degree/extent
• to a greater or lesser degree/extent
• to a great extent
• to such an extent
• to the fullest extent of
• to what extent
• writ of extent

Rhymes for extent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

extent

noun

ex·​tent ik-ˈstent 

1

: the range, distance, or space over or through which something extends

the extent of the Roman empire

2

: the point, degree, or limit to which something extends

the extent of her knowledge