expanse

noun

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

Synonyms of expanse

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Foliage rustles in the autumn wind here, and where there aren’t corn husks swaying, there are flat, lonely expanses of dirt where crops have been harvested. — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 The Flax Estate and Vineyard in Sonoma County wine country, once part of Hollywood actor Fred MacMurray’s ranch, has evolved into an expanse that’s home to a vintage farmhouse, caretaker’s cottage and modern home. — Kat Tran october 29, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026 A lot of buildings and fields and parks and cafés and expanses of water and elevators and on-ramps and curbsides. — Madeline Ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Winding through arid basins and rocky mountain passes, the road to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center climbs to 2,500 feet before opening into the vast expanses of the Mojave high desert. — Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expanse

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1667, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expanse was in 1667

Rhymes for expanse

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Browse Nearby Words

expand on/upon
expanse
expansibility
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Cite this Entry

“Expanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expanse. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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
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