expand

3 definitions • 9 examples

to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way:

The air in the balloon expands when heated.

They expanded their retail operations during the 1980s.

to increase something in size, number, or importance:

[ I ] The air in the balloon expands when heated.

[ T ] They expanded their number of stores significantly in the 1990s.

to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way:

expand into sth These companies need to expand into new markets because they have reached market saturation at home.

expand rapidly/greatly/significantly

expand the range/scope/capacity Supermarkets continue to expand the range of products and services offered in their outlets.

expand a business/company/programme

Production capacity could expand by up to 30%, thus bringing down prices.