ag·gran·dize·ment \əˈgrandə̇zmənt, -aan- also əˈgra(a)nˌdīz-; also ˈagrənˌdīz- or ˈaig- or ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\noun (-s) Etymology: modification (influenced by -ize) of French agrandissement, from agrandiss- + -ment : the act, action, or result of aggrandizing : advancement < their aggrandizement from low estate to social prominence > : enlargement < critics of his aggrandizement of federal power — B.N.Cardozo >