expand
verb
ex·pand ik-ˈspand 
expanded; expanding; expands
transitive verb
1
: to open up : unfold
2
: to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of : enlarge
3
a
: to express at length or in greater detail
b
: to write out in full
expand all abbreviations
c
: to subject to mathematical expansion
expand a function in a power series
intransitive verb
1
: to open out : spread
2
: to increase in extent, number, volume, or scope
3
: to speak or write fully or in detail
expanded on the theme
4
: to feel generous or optimistic
expandability
ik-ˌspan-də-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun expandable
ik-ˈspan-də-bəl
adjective 
Synonyms
- amplify
- develop
- dilate (on or upon)
- elaborate (on)
- enlarge (on or upon)
- flesh (out)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The liquid expands and contracts with changes in temperature. His business has expanded to serve the entire state. The coffee shop may expand into a full restaurant. He has expanded his business to serve the entire state. There are plans to expand the airport. The police have decided to expand their investigation. She plans to expand the lecture series into a book. Expand the abbreviation “deg.” to “degree.” See More
Recent Examples on the Web The researchers are looking to expand their survey in the future, by including more participants and following them over time. 
Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2022 The surge in new cannabis users has been a boon to marijuana companies, which are looking to expand the existing $30-$40 billion US weed market. Nicolas Rivero, Quartz, 29 Aug. 2022 The company is looking to expand with help from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. military. Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2022 The news was a big surprise, considering Amazon has been looking to expand its healthcare businesses and last month announced plans to spend nearly $4 billion to acquire One Medical, which offers in-person and virtual primary care services. Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Soul Snacks is always looking to expand our mission to even more outlets to sell our product. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022 Big companies looking to expand health care offerings, plus startups struggling with cash, are a perfect storm for M&A, my colleague Katie Palmer noted. Bob Herman, STAT, 17 Aug. 2022 Now, under the leadership of chief executive Darrell Byers, the group is looking to expand its StreetWise ‘MBA’ program to help more businesses here in Massachusetts. Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 The Woodbine development now has a bar and four eateries, but is looking to expand to offices and residences. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 See More
Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2022 The surge in new cannabis users has been a boon to marijuana companies, which are looking to expand the existing $30-$40 billion US weed market. Nicolas Rivero, Quartz, 29 Aug. 2022 The company is looking to expand with help from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. military. Stephen Singer, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2022 The news was a big surprise, considering Amazon has been looking to expand its healthcare businesses and last month announced plans to spend nearly $4 billion to acquire One Medical, which offers in-person and virtual primary care services. Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 Soul Snacks is always looking to expand our mission to even more outlets to sell our product. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022 Big companies looking to expand health care offerings, plus startups struggling with cash, are a perfect storm for M&A, my colleague Katie Palmer noted. Bob Herman, STAT, 17 Aug. 2022 Now, under the leadership of chief executive Darrell Byers, the group is looking to expand its StreetWise ‘MBA’ program to help more businesses here in Massachusetts. Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 The Woodbine development now has a bar and four eateries, but is looking to expand to offices and residences. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English expaunden, from Latin expandere, from ex- + pandere to spread — more at fathom
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing expand
Kids Definition
expand
verb
ex·pand ik-ˈspand
expanded; expanding
1
: to grow or increase in size, number, or amount
The airport is expanding.
2
: to open wide : unfold
The eagle's wings expanded.
3
: to take up or cause to take up more space
Metals expand under heat.
4
: to speak or write about in greater detail
Would you expand on that idea?
expands
verb
1
as in develops
to express more fully and in greater detail an article on the First Ladies that the author later expanded into a book Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- develops
- supplements
- amplifies
- complements
- enlarges (on or upon)
- dilates (on or upon)
- elaborates (on)
- fleshes (out)
- expatiates
- adds (to)
- discourses
- rambles
- runs on
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shortens
- condenses
- compresses
- summarizes
- abridges
- outlines
- abbreviates
- contracts
- sums up
2
as in increases
to make greater in size, amount, or number we had to expand the list of wedding guests several times in order to accommodate all the relatives Mother wouldn't dream of excluding Synonyms & Similar Words
- increases
- accelerates
- augments
- boosts
- extends
- multiplies
- raises
- enlarges
- enhances
- reinforces
- intensifies
- amplifies
- strengthens
- escalates
- swells
- maximizes
- stokes
- hypes
- compounds
- ups
- aggrandizes
- builds up
- supersizes
- pumps up
- lengthens
- develops
- dilates
- heightens
- inflates
- skyrockets
- distends
- complements
- prolongs
- elongates
- adds (to)
- jumps
- stretches
- supplements
- magnifies
- spikes
- booms
- accumulates
- draws out
- protracts
- collects
- amasses
- blows up
- reenforces
- bumps (up)
- ratchets (up)
- rachets (up)
- follows up
- parlays
- fleshes (out)
- beefs (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- reduces
- decreases
- diminishes
- lessens
- lowers
- dwindles
- shortens
- downsizes
- curtails
- abates
- subtracts (from)
- abridges
- constricts
- abbreviates
- compresses
- condenses
- minifies
- contracts
- de-escalates
- retrenches
- cuts back
3
as in extends
to arrange the parts of (something) over a wider area a spare leaf for those times when we have to expand the dining table to accommodate extra guests Synonyms & Similar Words
- extends
- opens
- unfolds
- unfurls
- outstretches
- outspreads
- spreads (out)
- stretches (out)
- overspreads
- flares (out)
- fans (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- closes
- reduces
- contracts
- folds
- compresses
- condenses
- compacts
4
as in rises
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number water expands when it becomes frozen Synonyms & Similar Words
- increases
- rises
- accelerates
- swells
- multiplies
- intensifies
- enlarges
- climbs
- accumulates
- proliferates
- spreads
- waxes
- escalates
- mounts
- balloons
- surges
- mushrooms
- booms
- heightens
- gains
- appreciates
- rolls up
- jumps
- snowballs
- burgeons
- builds up
- bourgeons
- skyrockets
- distends
- inflates
- redoubles
- rockets
- peaks
- bulks
- crests
- blows up
- crescendoes
- puffs (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decreases
- diminishes
- lessens
- recedes
- wanes
- contracts
- dwindles