ex ‧ pan ‧ sion W3 AC /ɪkˈspænʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ expand ; noun : ↑ expansion ; adjective : ↑ expandable ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] when something increases in size, range, amount etc SYN growth ⇨ expand
expansion of
The rapid expansion of cities can cause social and economic problems.
expansion in
an expansion in student numbers
2 . [uncountable and countable] when a company, business etc becomes larger by opening new shops, factories etc ⇨ expand :
The industry underwent a period of rapid expansion.
3 . [countable] an idea, story etc that is based on one that is simpler or more general:
The novel is an expansion of a short story he wrote about forty years ago.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + expansion
▪ a big expansion
Last year saw a big expansion at the company.
▪ a great/huge/massive expansion (=very big)
There are plans for a massive expansion of the oil and gas industries.
▪ a major/significant expansion (=large and important)
The company is planning a major expansion of its retail outlets.
▪ a rapid expansion
During the 1990s, there was a rapid expansion in student numbers.
▪ a steady expansion
There has been a steady expansion of the self-employed sector of the economy.
▪ further expansion
Investors think the hotel chain is ripe for further expansion.
▪ economic expansion
Economic expansion in India and China is set to continue.
▪ business/commercial expansion
These new measures could limit business expansion.
▪ urban expansion
We are seeing uncontrolled urban expansion in many African cities.
■ verbs
▪ expansion takes place ( also expansion occurs formal )
The biggest expansion occurred in the volume of small issue government bonds.
■ expansion + NOUN
▪ an expansion plan
The city’s ambitious expansion plans will require major investment.
▪ an expansion programme
Such an aggressive expansion programme could double the business in five years.