1 to become greater in size, number or importance; to make sth greater in size, number or importance:
[V] Metals expand when they are heated. * Student numbers are expanding rapidly. * A child's vocabulary expands through reading. * The waist expands to fit all sizes. * [VN] In breathing the chest muscles expand the rib cage and allow air to be sucked into the lungs. * The new system expanded the role of family doctors. * There are no plans to expand the local airport.
OPPCONTRACT
2 if a business expands or is expanded, new branches are opened, it makes more money, etc:
[VN] We've expanded the business by opening two more stores. * [V] an expanding economy (= with more businesses starting and growing)
3 [V] to talk more; to add details to what you are saying:
I repeated the question and waited for her to expand.
PHRASALVERBS
expand on / upon sth to say more about sth and add some details:
Could you expand on that point, please?
