Expand Expanded Expanding ɪkˈspænd Business Greatly Number Verb

• metals expand when they are heated.
• student numbers are expanding rapidly.
• a greatly expanded version of his earlier book
• a child's vocabulary expands through reading.

expand

Verb Forms

1. to become greater in size, number or importance; to make something greater in size, number or importance
• Metals expand when they are heated.
• Student numbers are expanding rapidly.
• a greatly expanded version of his earlier book
• A child's vocabulary expands through reading.
• The waist expands to fit all sizes.
• The gallery's focus will expand to include the work of modern artists.
• By 1999, the event had expanded from two to three days.
• They are continuing to expand the range of goods and services they offer.
• to expand a programme/service
• In breathing the chest muscles expand the rib cage and allow air to be sucked into the lungs.
• There are no plans to expand the local airport.
• The short film is being expanded into a full-length documentary.

Extra Examples

• The number of managers has expanded from 700 to 1 300.
• The government has expanded economic aid to the region.
• The town has expanded into a city.
• I needed to expand my possibilities of making a living.
• The new system expanded the role of family doctors.
2. if a business expands or is expanded, new branches are opened, it makes more money, etc.
• an expanding economy (= with more businesses starting and growing)
• The organic market is rapidly expanding among middle-class shoppers.
• They have recently expanded into the Middle East.
• We've expanded the business by opening two more stores.
• The company is planning to expand its American operations.

Extra Examples

• American publishers attempted to expand their markets overseas.
• Both companies are aggressively expanding their business models in Europe.
• He has plans to expand beyond computer consulting to include engineer training.
• internet companies expanding abroad
• The business has expanded greatly over the last year.
• Several brands have successfully expanded their market presence.
3. to talk more; to add details to what you are saying
• I repeated the question and waited for her to expand.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from Latin expandere ‘to spread out’, from ex- ‘out’ + pandere ‘to spread’.