Expanse: meaning, definitions and examples

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expanse

[ɪkˈspæns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

outer space

A wide and open area or surface; a vast extent or expanse of something.

Synonyms

breadth, extent, scope, stretch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expanse	Used to describe a large, open area of land, sea, or sky. Looking at the vast expanse of the ocean, she felt a sense of freedom. The Sahara is known for its endless expanse of sand dunes.
stretch	Describes a continuous area or length of something, often used for surfaces or distances. They walked along a beautiful stretch of beach. The stretch of road between the two towns is scenic.
extent	Used to describe the size, degree, or scope of something. To what extent do you agree with the new policy? The extent of the damage was more than they had expected.
breadth	Refers to the distance from side to side or the extent of topics and subjects. The breadth of her knowledge is impressive. The breadth of the river made it difficult to cross.
scope	Refers to the range of view, thought, or action. The scope of the new project is quite large. His research covers a wide scope of subjects.

Examples of usage

The expanse of the universe is truly mind-boggling.
She gazed out at the vast expanse of the ocean before her.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

land

A wide area of land, water, or sky.

Synonyms

area, region, stretch, territory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expanse	Used to describe a wide and open space, often outdoors and with a sense of vastness. The desert is an endless expanse of sand They gazed upon the expanse of the ocean
stretch	Denotes a continuous and extended length of land or space, often linear in nature. They drove along a beautiful stretch of coastline There is a long stretch of highway between the two cities
area	Refers to a specific part of a place or a distinct region within a space, emphasizing its defined boundaries. This area of the park is for picnics The city has many industrial areas
region	Describes a larger, often geographical or political division, referring to a part of a country or the world. They come from the northern region of the country The wine region is famous for its vineyards
territory	Refers to an area of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state, emphasizing control and governance. Can also be used in a more general sense to describe an area claimed by someone or something. Animals often mark their territory to fend off others The territory was disputed by neighboring countries

Examples of usage

The expanse of desert stretched out before them.
The expanse of the sky was breathtaking in its beauty.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin 'expansus', which means 'spread out' or 'stretched'.
It entered the English language in the late 14th century, originally describing broad areas.
The root 'pan' in 'expanse' relates to 'spreading', as seen in words like 'panorama'.

Geography

In geography, 'expanse' often describes large landscapes such as plains, oceans, or the sky.
The Great Plains in North America are known for their vast expanses of grassland.
Historical maps often illustrate expanses before any settlements were established.

Literature

In literature, vast expanses may symbolize freedom, adventure, or the unknown, inviting exploration in stories.
Authors like John Steinbeck use the imagery of open expanses to evoke feelings of loneliness and longing.
Romantic poets often celebrated nature’s beauty, describing the expanse of the sea or sky in their works.

Art

Artists like Caspar David Friedrich portrayed expansive landscapes to capture the sublime beauty of nature.
In visual arts, the concept of expanse can evoke feelings of tranquility or insignificance in the face of nature.
Modern art movement abstraction sometimes emphasizes expanse through color and form, creating feelings of openness.

Science

In astronomy, 'expanse' may refer to the vastness of space, where distances between celestial bodies are immense.
The concept of dark energy relates to the expanse of the universe and its ongoing expansion.
Geophysical studies often analyze the expanse of Earth's surface, including landforms and bodies of water.

Translations

Translations of the word "expanse" in other languages:

🇵🇹 extensão

🇮🇳 विस्तार

🇩🇪 Weite

🇮🇩 luas

🇺🇦 простір

🇵🇱 rozległość

🇯🇵 広がり

🇫🇷 étendue

🇪🇸 extensión

🇹🇷 genişlik

🇰🇷 넓이

🇸🇦 امتداد

🇨🇿 rozloha

🇸🇰 rozloha

🇨🇳 广阔

🇸🇮 prostranstvo

🇮🇸 vídd

🇰🇿 кеңістік

🇬🇪 ფართობი

🇦🇿 genişlik

🇲🇽 extensión

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,352, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
12349 extraneous
12350 mythical
12351 witty
12352 expanse
12353 ballad
12354 tuna
12355 bullion
...