Definition of VASTNESS

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

With vast open floor plans, high glass windows, and extensive curb appeal, this California find is a diamond in the rough. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "The Stunning Mansion Featured in ‘La La Land’ is Now For Sale," 10 May 2019 Unlike many larger, more vast properties in the Maldives, Baros is decidedly boutique, with just 75 rooms. — Lindsay Silberman, Town & Country, "The Best Room At...Baros Maldives," 4 May 2019 Christian Siriano, who creates eye-catching designs for a vast swathe of women, regardless of their body type, produces a bridal range that runs from size 0-26, a stark difference to what many designers have and are currently able to produce. — Heather Hall, Harper's BAZAAR, "From Bridal Salons to Custom Gowns, Here's Where Size Inclusivity Stands in the Bridal Industry," 19 Apr. 2019 That’s in part because 5G will also allow for the possibility of more-precise location tracking, as well as the opportunity to collect vast amounts of additional personal data. ... — Matthew Kassel, WSJ, "As 5G Technology Expands, So Do Concerns Over Privacy," 26 Feb. 2019 As for that whole handing-over-personal-data thing? Biometrics supporters point out that most consumers now freely share vast amounts of data online, and are accustomed to using biometric IDs to perform tasks like unlocking their phones. — Barbara Peterson, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Future of Biometrics at the Airport," 20 Sep. 2018 The process is fairly efficient; about 60% of the energy put into the plant ends up being stored in the ammonia's bonds. Scaled up to factories the size of Yara's, the process can produce vast amounts of ammonia. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018 Maryland’s system has been considered more advanced than other states because of the vast amount of images available, including more than 10 million images from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, mug shots and other photographs of arrestees. — Yvonne Wenger, baltimoresun.com, "Police used facial recognition technology to help identify uncooperative suspect in Capital Gazette shooting," 29 June 2018 The vast majority of those should appear within the next month. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld, "Nvidia's mobile GeForce GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 Ti give affordable gaming laptops more firepower," 23 Apr. 2019

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