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 Its barely visible tents and shanties melt into vistas of the downtown skyline and San Gabriel Mountains to the north and the flat expanse of city south to the sea. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024 To his right and left, idiosyncratically shaped video screens faced each other across a round expanse dotted with lights that moved and changed color as Urs Schönebaum, the director, spoke into a headset while riding a scooter. Joshua Barone, New York Times, 3 June 2024 Conversely, these songs carry the unbridled excitement of a child equipped with a marker and an endless expanse of white wall. Vrinda Jagota, SPIN, 29 May 2024 What once was the city dump is now a sandy expanse with an accessible ramp, seating wall and grassy area. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for expanse 

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 10 Jun. 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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