expansion

noun

ex·​pan·​sion ik-ˈspan(t)-shən How to pronounce expansion (audio)
1
2
: the act or process of expanding
territorial expansion
economic expansion
expansion of the universe
3
: the quality or state of being expanded
4
: the increase in volume of working fluid (such as steam) in an engine cylinder after cutoff or in an internal combustion engine after explosion
5
a
: an expanded part
b
: something that results from an act of expanding
the book is an expansion of a lecture series
6
: the result of carrying out an indicated mathematical operation : the expression of a function in the form of a series
expansional adjective

Examples of expansion in a Sentence

The league is undergoing expansion. the expansion of a lecture series into a book This book is an expansion of a lecture series.
Recent Examples on the Web Carl Lewis, the director of the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, said that type of expansion happens thanks to the garden’s innovation studio called the Makerspace. Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024 Visitors descend daily onto the Hitsville grounds, where a new public plaza is part of the museum's ongoing $65 million expansion. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024 At the same time, Stern drove a dramatic expansion of the NBA’s global footprint. TIME, 19 Apr. 2024 It is also slated to be the last spring game in Richardson Stadium’s current state, as the UNC Board of Governors approved a $60M expansion (phase one) of the 11-year-old Stadium on Thursday. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2024 But the fact that stars are only granted to restaurants in several Florida cities also points to a thorny dynamic: Michelin’s expansion into new cities is often fueled by tourism departments that can pay hefty sums of money to support the guide's coverage. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 19 Apr. 2024 Given that, the existence of a fandom outside Japan will serve as a tremendous advantage in the band’s overseas expansion. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 19 Apr. 2024 The expansion, released two hours after the initial album, features 15 more songs titled The Anthology. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024 But Brookens Construction, which specializes in roof replacement and gutters, remarkable expansion has propelled it to rank 1372 on the 2023 Inc. 5000 roster of the swiftest-growing firms that year. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expansion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expansion was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near expansion

Cite this Entry

“Expansion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expansion. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

expansion

noun
ex·​pan·​sion ik-ˈspan-chən How to pronounce expansion (audio)
1
: the act of expanding
2
: the state of being expanded
3
: something expanded or a result of expanding
4
: the result of carrying out indicated mathematical operations
the expansion of (a + b)2 is a2 + 2ab + b2

Medical Definition

expansion

noun
ex·​pan·​sion ik-ˈspan-chən How to pronounce expansion (audio)
1
: the act or process of expanding
2
: the quality or state of being expanded

More from Merriam-Webster on expansion

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!