expand

ex|pand

W3S2 [ıkˈspænd] v

[Date: 1400-1500; : Latin; Origin: expandere, from pandere 'to spread']

1.) [I and T]

to become larger in size, number, or amount, or to make something become larger

→↑expansion

≠ ↑contract

▪ Water expands as it freezes.

▪ Sydney's population expanded rapidly in the 1960s.

▪ exercises that expand the chest muscles

▪ his expanding waistline

2.) [I and T]

if a company, business etc expands, or if someone expands it, they open new shops, factories etc

→↑expansion

▪ The computer industry has expanded greatly over the last decade.

▪ The hotel wants to expand its business by adding a swimming pool.

▪ the rapidly expanding field of information technology

expand into

▪ We have plans to expand into the U.S. market.

3.) [i]literary

to become more confident and start to talk more

▪ After a few whiskies he started to expand a little.

expand on/upon [expand on/upon sth] phr v

to add more details or information to something that you have already said

▪ Payne later expanded on his initial statement.