expansion

noun

ex·​pan·​sion ik-ˈspan(t)-shən 

1

: expanse

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

ik-ˈspan(t)-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• accretion
• accrual
• addendum
• addition
• augmentation
• boost
• gain
• increase
• increment
• more
• plus
• proliferation
• raise
• rise
• step-up
• supplement
• uptick

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

Dear Abby: My husband died on our vacation, and his mother is furious with me Asking Eric: My gut tells me something is strange with my boyfriend’s family Pac-12 expansion: Which two schools should the conference add (to meet NCAA minimum)? —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2024

But please, John Weber, don’t let Rams-Wyoming rivalry fade like CU-Nebraska Pac-12 expansion: Estimating the media value of a rebuilt conference with WSU, OSU and the four Mountain West schools Colorado Soph. —Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2024

Technology adoption can improve efficiency, increase competitiveness and open up new avenues for growth and expansion. —Stephen Akintayo, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

The high-speed Starlink service is only currently available on JSX or Hawaiian Airlines in the US, so an expansion to United will undoubtedly put the pressure on rivals to improve their in-flight Wi-Fi. —Tom Warren, The Verge, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing expansion

• expansion card
• expansion slot

Kids Definition

expansion

noun

ex·​pan·​sion ik-ˈspan-chən 

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 

1

: the act or process of expanding

2

: the quality or state of being expanded