expanse

noun

ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s How to pronounce expanse (audio)
1
2
: great extent of something spread out
an expanse of calm ocean

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 There were many reasons to doubt the full expanse of the testimony by Grusch and others. Garrett M. Graff, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 For all the ways Wyoming is unusual — roughly 600,000 residents, spread across a vast expanse of mountains, high plains and moon-like outcroppings — its recent politics turn out to resemble other red and purple states. Kate Zernike, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The violence began in neighboring Mali in 2012 but has since spread across the arid expanse of the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert. Nimi Princewill, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Spotting a small spacecraft like Odysseus against the wide expanse of the moon is an impressive feat. Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 This renowned half-mile expanse of white sand stands as one of Barbados' top beaches, drawing crowds with its tranquil, crystal-clear waters. USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024 Richton Park In a letter to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren, Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold touted large expanses of available land and the south suburb’s proximity to highways and the Metra Electric Line. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2024 Molli couldn’t drive across the wide expanse of West Texas, but there’s a resource for that, too. Hannah Murphy Winter, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024 For the first time since 2005, a lake — called Lake Manly — has formed in Badwater Basin, an expanse of salt flats within the park that are usually bone-dry. Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expanse.' 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

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

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expanse was in 1637

Dictionary Entries Near expanse

Cite this Entry

“Expanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expanse. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

expanse

noun
ex·​panse ik-ˈspan(t)s How to pronounce expanse (audio)
: a wide space, area, or stretch
the vast expanse of the ocean

More from Merriam-Webster on expanse

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