expanse

noun

ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s 

1

: firmament

2

: great extent of something spread out

an expanse of calm ocean

Synonyms

• breadth
• distance
• expansion
• extent
• field
• length
• plain
• reach
• sheet
• spread
• stretch
• waste

Examples of expanse in a Sentence

The explorer gazed across the vast Arctic expanse.

the great explorers who crossed the vast expanses of the seven seas in small ships

Recent Examples on the Web

Where another artist might rely on grotesque specifics to frighten the reader, Mignola’s insinuating expanses of black ink conceal all but the most necessary details of a rich and malevolent world, filled with monstrosities, yes, but also oddities, many of them delightful. —Sam Thielman, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025

The dormant Medicine Lake Volcano, which has an expanse that measures 10 times larger than Washington's Mount Saint Helens, is also included in the monument. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2025

In the middle of the park, find vast expanses of the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert on trails like the Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail or the Ward Spring Trail. —Carrie Dennis, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2024

Dry Tortugas is actually 99% water, with sandy slips of islands punctuating the otherwise turquoise blue expanse. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin expansum, from Latin, neuter of expansus, past participle of expandere

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

expanse

noun

ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s 

: a wide space, area, or stretch

the vast expanse of the ocean