to increase in extent, size, volume, scope, etc.: Heat expands most metals. He hopes to expand his company.
to spread or stretch out; unfold: A bird expands its wings.
to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop: to expand a short story into a novel.
Mathematics.
to write (a mathematical expression) so as to show the products of its factors.Compare factor (def. 10).
to rewrite (a mathematical expression) as a sum, product, etc., of terms of a particular kind: to expand a function in a power series.
verb (used without object)
to increase or grow in extent, bulk, scope, etc.: Most metals expand with heat. The mind expands with experience.
to spread out; unfold; develop: The buds had not yet expanded.
to express something more fully or in greater detail (usually followed by on or upon): to expand on a statement.
Origin of expand
First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English expanden, from Latin expandere “to spread out,” equivalent to ex- ex-1 + pandere “to extend, stretch”
SYNONYMS FOR expand
1 extend, swell, enlarge.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR expand ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for expand
1. Expand,dilate,distend,inflate imply becoming larger and filling more space. To expand is to spread out, usually in every direction: to expand one's chest.To dilate is especially to increase the width or circumference, and applies to space enclosed within confines or to hollow bodies: to dilate the pupils of the eyes.To distend is to stretch, often beyond the point of natural expansion: to distend an artery.To inflate is to blow out or swell a hollow body with air or gas: to inflate a balloon.
Then the novel coronavirus forced dozens of states to quickly expand absentee voting, and the slowdowns got more dramatic.
Election live updates: Trump returns to Wisconsin; Biden to face live audience at town hall|Colby Itkowitz, Felicia Sonmez, John Wagner|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
In response to the coronavirus, nearly half of all states expanded access to mail ballots for their primaries, either by allowing fear of the coronavirus as a reason or proactively sending an application or ballot to every registered voter.
Vote by mail: Which states allow absentee voting|Kate Rabinowitz, Brittany Mayes|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Insider has had its sights on Asia Pacific to expand its tech and business coverage for some time.
‘We’re about hiring journalists’: Insider Inc. launches third global news hub in Singapore|Lucinda Southern|September 17, 2020|Digiday
They were nominated just as the program prepared to expand one of its available investment funds to also reflect about two dozen emerging-market countries, including China.
Committee delays vote on former political commentator to head Office of Personnel Management|Eric Yoder|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
A key finding involves a long-standing practice — which was expanded by Congress several times — to deputize Boeing employees to act in behalf of FAA while reviewing aircraft designs.
Boeing crashes were the “horrific culmination” of multiple mistakes, House report says|kdunn6|September 16, 2020|Fortune
He once experimented with dressing as “Hilda the Wicked Witch” as a way to expand his business to Halloween.
Kerry Bentivolio: The Congressman Who Believes in Santa Claus|Ben Jacobs|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It also provides a critical opportunity to expand the ranks of the middle class.
The Rustbelt Roars Back From the Dead|Joel Kotkin, Richey Piiparinen|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dr. Grenci, who agrees, also saw it as a way to expand her own knowledge on the subculture and what makes it so appealing.
Whip It: Secrets of a Dominatrix|Justin Jones|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The center for Justice and Accountability in San Francisco, and other human rights organizations went to work to expand the law.
Bringing El Salvador Nun Killers to Justice|Raymond Bonner|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And the CENTCOM commander said that ISIS figures could expand dramatically based on the nature of its actions.
ISIS Has 9,000 ‘Core Fighters.’ Or Maybe 17,000. Or Possibly 30,000.|Tim Mak|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The steam, if free to expand into the air, would occupy about one thousand seven hundred times the volume of the water.
The Library of Work and Play: Electricity and Its Everyday Uses|John F. Woodhull
The air taken into the lungs seemed powerless to expand them.
The Grey Lady|Henry Seton Merriman
The lift, expand, and let go must be in proportion to the pitch and power of the tone.
The Renaissance of the Vocal Art|Edmund Myer
After the momentary sorrow of parting from his good friend, Delmar, the youth's heart began to expand with joy.
The Eagle's Heart|Hamlin Garland
To expand the circle of wants is necessarily to multiply temptations and therefore to increase the number of sins.'
The Map of Life|William Edward Hartpole Lecky
British Dictionary definitions for expand
expand
/ (ɪkˈspænd) /
verb
to make or become greater in extent, volume, size, or scope; increase
to spread out or be spread out; unfold; stretch out
(intr often foll by on) to enlarge or expatiate on (a story, topic, etc) in detail
(intr)to become increasingly relaxed, friendly, or talkative
mathsto express (a function or expression) as the sum or product of terms
Derived forms of expand
expandable, adjective
Word Origin for expand
C15: from Latin expandere to spread out, from pandere to spread, extend