vast

1 of 2

adjective

: very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range
vast knowledge
a vast expanse
vastness noun

vast

2 of 2

noun

: a boundless space
the vast of heavenJohn Milton
Choose the Right Synonym for vast

enormous, immense, huge, vast, gigantic, colossal, mammoth mean exceedingly large.

enormous and immense both suggest an exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree, but enormous often adds an implication of abnormality or monstrousness.

an enormous expense
an immense shopping mall

huge commonly suggests an immensity of bulk or amount.

incurred a huge debt

vast usually suggests immensity of extent.

the vast Russian steppes

gigantic stresses the contrast with the size of others of the same kind.

a gigantic sports stadium

colossal applies especially to a human creation of stupendous or incredible dimensions.

a colossal statue of Lincoln

mammoth suggests both hugeness and ponderousness of bulk.

a mammoth boulder

Examples of vast in a Sentence

Adjective She has a vast amount of knowledge on this subject. The policy is supported by the vast majority of citizens. a vast expanse of land
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
As part of the deal, Iran did get access to tens of billions of dollars in assets — but the vast majority of those assets are Iran’s own money. Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 That’s far less than the vast majority of Americans pay. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 The vast majority of viewers — 28.47 million — watched the State of the Union on the big four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC) and the three largest cable news outlets (CNN, Fox News and MSNBC). Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 On Wednesday, prosecutors conceded that the defense had not been given time to review the vast disclosure of new evidence and moved to dismiss the case. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 Spain’s cultural and historical heritage and its diverse natural landscapes, from Moorish castles and royal palaces to snowy peaks, vast deserts and rugged coastlines, have made the country a prime location for international films and series. Ed Meza, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Those ads, which are targeted to users’ interests based on Meta’s vast troves of data, are generally more effective at luring shoppers. Mike Isaac, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The income figures from SmartAsset are noteworthy considering how a vast majority of Americans don't earn anything close to those amounts. Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2024 The vast majority of food recalls are not ordered by the FDA or USDA, but are made voluntarily by manufacturers, sometimes after agency request. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin vāstus or vastus "devoid of habitation, desolate, dreary," also, "of great size, immense," probably in part continuing Indo-European *h1u̯eh2-sto- (whence Old High German wuosti "empty, deserted," Old English wēste, Old Irish fás), in part conflated with another base *wast- of uncertain origin

Noun

noun derivative of vast entry 1, perhaps by analogy with deep entry 1, deep entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

1585, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vast was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near vast

Cite this Entry

“Vast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vast. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vast

adjective
ˈvast
: very great in extent, size, amount, degree, or intensity
a vast stretch of desert
vast knowledge
vastly adverb
vastness
ˈvas(t)-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vast

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