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

Transportation accounts for about 39% of greenhouse gas emissions in California, and the vast majority of that comes from passenger cars, according to the California Air Resources Board. — Dustin Gardiner, SFChronicle.com, "California idea to study phasing out gas-powered cars wins new life," 15 June 2019 The vast majority of the factory jobs have come in counties that were already adding factory employment before Mr. Trump took office. — New York Times, "In the Race for Factory Jobs Under Trump, the Midwest Isn’t Winning," 14 June 2019 South Korea, the world’s fifth largest importer of crude oil, also depends on the Middle East for the vast majority of its supplies. — Washington Post, "Middle East attack jolts oil-import dependent Asia," 14 June 2019 Flouting the rules wouldn’t exactly be out of character for the vast majority of stem cell clinics. — Megan Molteni, WIRED, "YouTube Testimonials Lure Patients to Shady Stem Cell Clinics," 14 June 2019 While approximately 48 per cent of the country identifies as anti-choice, IVF doesn’t upset the vast majority of people. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Anti-Choice People Are Okay with IVF," 14 June 2019 Of those, the vast majority are filed by county and municipal governments. — Eric Heisig, cleveland.com, "Cities, counties across U.S. should unite to negotiate opioid lawsuits against drug companies, attorneys say," 14 June 2019 And millions of us — probably the vast majority of us — experienced exactly that. — Dan Moran, Lake County News-Sun, "Moran: Waukegan makes 'such a powerful statement' by hosting first celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month," 14 June 2019 The vast majority of his snaps at Texas A&M came out of the shotgun formation. — Jeff Duncan, nola.com, "Jared Cook, Carl Granderson make positive impressions and other observations from Saints minicamp," 14 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Furthermore, it could be easily scaled up, thereby opening vasts swaths of the universe to observation without the hefty price tag associated with building large, solid telescopes. — Daniel Oberhaus, WIRED, "New Space Telescopes Could Look Like Giant Beach Balls," 11 June 2019 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