- (v.t.) To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves or stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of substance; to make to occupy more space; to dilate; to distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; -- opposed to contract; as, to expand the chest; heat expands all bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence.
- (v.i.) To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated, distended or enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand by heat; the heart expands with joy.
- (v.t.) To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.
- (v.t.) To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to expand an equation. See Expansion, 5.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). expand. Retrieved September 22, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/expand/definitions/2006007 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "expand" http://smartdefine.org/expand/definitions/2006007 (accessed September 22, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, expand, Smart Define, viewed 22 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/expand/definitions/2006007>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "expand" 27 May 2011. Web. 22 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/expand/definitions/2006007> |