expanse
noun
ex·panse
ik-ˈspan(t)s 
1
2
: great extent of something spread out
an expanse of calm ocean
Synonyms
Examples of expanse in a Sentence
The explorer gazed across the vast Arctic expanse.
the great explorers who crossed the vast expanses of the seven seas in small ships
Recent Examples on the Web
In coastal cities from Naples to Venice, the sea glitters tantalizingly in the afternoon sun, but beneath its surface lurks an unknowable expanse of bottomless blackness.
—
Judy Berman, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Daniel Petroni An expanse of lawn between the house and the beach doubles and a helicopter landing pad.
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delray beach
Design
Florida
Real Estate
south florida
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—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Rain falling on urban expanses is channeled into drainage conduits, squandered.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Within three hours the field beyond her window was an expanse of frozen fluff.
—Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Kaila Austin wants to turn a contaminated wasteland that’s been polluted for nearly a century back into a lush expanse of nature for generations of Norwood Place residents to enjoy.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024
Visitors can enjoy a mesmerizing display of towering red rocks in contrast with the deep green pine forests and the expanse of Arizona's usual blue skies from the numerous lookout points throughout the park.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024
From the artfully bulging upper windows of the towering Elbphilharmonie complex, the city of Hamburg stretches out in seeming miniature — a vast industrial expanse of cranes, drawbridges and the purple breath of distant smokestacks.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Most disastrous of all, the impact shattered the ice dam holding back Lake Agassiz, a vast expanse of glacial meltwater that stretched across Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
—Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
Judy Berman, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Daniel Petroni An expanse of lawn between the house and the beach doubles and a helicopter landing pad.
Read More On:
delray beach
Design
Florida
Real Estate
south florida
Like this article?
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
Rain falling on urban expanses is channeled into drainage conduits, squandered.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Within three hours the field beyond her window was an expanse of frozen fluff.
—Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
Kaila Austin wants to turn a contaminated wasteland that’s been polluted for nearly a century back into a lush expanse of nature for generations of Norwood Place residents to enjoy.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024
Visitors can enjoy a mesmerizing display of towering red rocks in contrast with the deep green pine forests and the expanse of Arizona's usual blue skies from the numerous lookout points throughout the park.
—Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024
From the artfully bulging upper windows of the towering Elbphilharmonie complex, the city of Hamburg stretches out in seeming miniature — a vast industrial expanse of cranes, drawbridges and the purple breath of distant smokestacks.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024
Most disastrous of all, the impact shattered the ice dam holding back Lake Agassiz, a vast expanse of glacial meltwater that stretched across Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
—Zach St. George, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expanse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near expanse
Cite this Entry
“Expanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expanse. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expanse
noun
ex·panse
ik-ˈspan(t)s
: a wide space, area, or stretch
the vast expanse of the ocean
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