expanding

Verb

expand (third-person singular simple present expands, present participle expanding, simple past and past participle expanded)

1. (transitive) To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
   • You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table.

   Synonyms:

   open out, spread, spread out, unfold

2. (transitive) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
   • A flower expands its leaves.
3. (transitive) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
4. (transitive) To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
   • Use the binomial theorem to expand #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴.
5. (intransitive) To become, by rewriting, a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
   • The expression #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴ expands to x⁴#43;4x³#43;6x²#43;4x#43;1.
6. (transitive) To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same (non-zero) number (which yields a fraction of equal value).
   • Expanding 4#47;7 by 3 gives 12#47;21.

See all 11 meanings of expand