expanse

[ ik-spans ]
/ ɪkˈspæns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR expanse ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an uninterrupted space or area; a wide extent of anything: an expanse of water.
something that is spread out, especially over a relatively large area: that great expanse, the sky.
expansion; extension: the wide expanse of scientific knowledge.

Origin of expanse

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

Words nearby expanse

expanded metal, expanded plastic, expander, expanding universe, expanding universe theory, expanse, expansible, expansile, expansion, expansion attic, expansion bend

Words related to expanses

stretch, plain, wilderness, tract, breadth, domain, sweep, sphere, radius, belt, span, area, range, width, spread, latitude, scope, territory, field, reach

Example sentences from the Web for expanses

British Dictionary definitions for expanses

expanse
/ (ɪkˈspæns) /

noun

an uninterrupted surface of something that spreads or extends, esp over a wide area; stretch an expanse of water
expansion or extension

Word Origin for expanse

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