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expansion

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ɪkˈspænʃən// UK //ɛkspˈænʃən// ex·pan·sion General-service

n. the act of becoming bigger or making something larger. You use this when a business grows or when something physically spreads out.

n. the action of becoming larger or more extensive; the process of increasing in size, volume, or scope.


SIMPLE

The company is planning an expansion into new markets.

CONTEXTUAL

Rapid economic expansion often leads to higher employment rates but can also cause prices to rise quickly.

COMPLEX

The sudden expansion of the tech sector created a vacuum in the labor market, forcing traditional firms to increase their benefits packages to retain talent.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French expansion, from Latin expānsiō. By surface analysis, expand + -sion.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process of growing; countable when referring to a specific instance of growth or a new addition.

Pitfall

the expansion for the businessthe expansion of the businessWhen describing what is growing, use the preposition 'of' rather than 'for'.

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