Definition of VAST

Choose the Right Synonym for vast

Adjective

enormous, immense, huge, vast, gigantic, colossal, mammoth mean exceedingly large. enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness. an enormous expense an immense shopping mall huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount. incurred a huge debt vast usually suggests immensity of extent. the vast Russian steppes gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind. a gigantic sports stadium colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions. a colossal statue of Lincoln mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk. a mammoth boulder

Examples of vast in a Sentence

Adjective

She has a vast amount of knowledge on this subject. The policy is supported by the vast majority of citizens. a vast expanse of land

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Central banks have also taken on vast new supervisory powers over the financial system. — Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, "‘Unelected Power’ Review: Monetary Mavericks," 27 June 2018 Mr Trump’s former lawyers, having claimed vast powers for the president in a bid to spare him an interview with Mr Mueller, seem to have employed the same tactic. — The Economist, "Donald Trump’s powers are not quite as vast as his lawyers claim," 7 June 2018 That is: use the vast power and rapidly declining cost of DNA research to pinpoint the precise chromosomal locations in American grapes that drive flavors, aromas, grape size and other important attributes. — Kevin Begos, Smithsonian, "The Quest to Grow the First Great American Wine Grape," 6 June 2018 Snipers perched atop a nearby tower overlooking the vast property. — Jill Colvin, BostonGlobe.com, "Before Putin meeting, Trump blames predecessor for election meddling," 14 July 2018 More than 300 people have been killed since the conflict began in April, the vast majority civilians. — Joshua Partlow, chicagotribune.com, "Inside the church where Nicaraguan paramilitaries laid siege on university students," 14 July 2018 Unlike network and public television, which have a lot of free streaming content, these are paid services with vast catalogs, original programs, and curated lists and recommendations. — Kim Komando, USA TODAY, "Is Netflix best bet for cord-cutters or should you consider Amazon, Hulu or Vudu?," 13 July 2018 Riggers strung a web of static ropes for hoisting the cocoon-like stretchers over vast fields of jagged rocks. — Shibani Mahtani, Washington Post, "‘Time is running out’: Inside the treacherous rescue of boys trapped in a Thai cave," 13 July 2018 The nation’s vast public lands have always been an engine for energy development. — Zack Colman, Scientific American, "A Trump Oil Boom Could Transform This Rocky Mountain Landscape," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

That is a more ticklish argument: the obstruction laws are complicated and the ambit of presidential power vast. — The Economist, "Donald Trump’s powers are not quite as vast as his lawyers claim," 7 June 2018 As a Cold War-era child who did drop-and-cover nuclear-attack drills under my desk, I’d been ingrained with ominous, gray images of Soviet military tanks rolling through the vast cobbled landmark. — Norma Meyer, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Beauty, history, people make Russia trip memorable," 20 Sep. 2017 Near Potsdam, and a stone’s throw from the breathtaking gardens of Sanssouci Palace, lies Templiner See: Vast and choppy, there’s a seaside holiday vibe in the air. — Alexandra Pereira, CNT, "Why Swimming Is the Ultimate Berlin Summer Pastime," 9 Aug. 2017 A clatter of gunshots suggested the worst The Brillante was built like two rectangles joined at a right angle: one vast, flat, hollow shape that held the liquid cargo, and one smaller, upright stack that contained mechanical systems and crew spaces. — Bloomberg.com, "The Hijacking of the Brillante Virtuoso," 27 July 2017 Vast and growing databases compiled for commerce and policing are also for sale to politicians and their strategists, who can now know more about you than your spouse or parents. — Nina Burleigh, Newsweek, "How Big Data Mines Personal Info to Craft Fake News and Manipulate Voters," 8 June 2017 Vast sums must be invested to build refineries and smelters to turn that ore into metal. — James R. Hagerty, WSJ, "Alcan CEO David Culver Bet on Aluminum and Quebec," 10 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for vast

Adjective

borrowed from Latin vāstus or vastus "devoid of habitation, desolate, dreary," also, "of great size, immense," probably in part continuing Indo-European *h₁u̯eh₂-sto- (whence Old High German wuosti "empty, deserted," Old English wēste, Old Irish fás), in part conflated with another base *wast- of uncertain origin

Noun