expanse

[ik-spans]

noun

1. an uninterrupted space or area; a wide extent of anything.

   an expanse of water.

   Synonyms: stretch, range, reach, sweep

2. something that is spread out, especially over a relatively large area.

   that great expanse, the sky.

3. expansion; extension.

   the wide expanse of scientific knowledge.

expanse

/ ɪkˈspæns /

noun

1. an uninterrupted surface of something that spreads or extends, esp over a wide area; stretch

   an expanse of water

2. expansion or extension

Word History and Origins

Origin of expanse¹

1660–70; < New Latin expānsum, noun use of neuter of Latin expānsus, past participle of expandere to expand

Word History and Origins

Origin of expanse¹

C17: from New Latin expansum the heavens, from Latin expansus spread out, from expandere to _expand

Example Sentences

They clutched trash bags and surveyed the expanse of trash-filled sidewalks and gutters before them.

From Los Angeles Times

Time and time again, speeding cars have plowed through Plaza Park’s grassy expanses and vibrant rosebushes, demolishing wood benches and slamming into the beloved 88-year-old fountain.

From Los Angeles Times

Gone are the carefully tended beds of flowers and the long expanse of lawn.

From Salon

Although they attract around 2 million visitors a year, they also contain vast expanses of largely untraveled wilderness where it is easy to hide these illegal grows.

From Los Angeles Times

County Arboretum, Villa Aurora and more as wildfires continue to damage or threaten cultural institutions across a vast expanse of Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• plain 
• stretch 
• tract 
• wilderness