French Conversation · Level 21
89 words
French word
expansion
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛkspɑ̃sjɔ̃/
Meaning
- feminine nounexpansion
Example
On remarque l'expansion du ballon quand on le gonfle.
The balloon's expansion can be observed when it is inflated.
More examples
L'expansion économique a créé de nouveaux emplois.
The economic expansion created new jobs.
Core concept
A contained mass or influence spreading beyond its former limits.
Common phrases
expansion économique
economic expansion
expansion urbaine
urban expansion
expansion rapide
rapid expansion
Similar words
augmentation: An increase in quantity or degree.
extension: A growth in range or length beyond its original limits.
élargissement: A widening in breadth or scope.
diffusion: The spread of information or material across a wide area.
Definition in French
Fait d'occuper plus d'espace ou d'étendre son influence; terme employé pour des objets gonflables, des villes ou des idées.
Word origin
French borrowed expansion as a learned term from Latin expansio, the noun of expandere 'spread outward'; ex- and pandere provide its historical parts.
Usage tips
- Expansion has a formal tone in many contexts; French may use agrandissement for physical enlargement and augmentation for an increase in amount.
Other meanings
- increasenoun
Opposites
- contractioncontractionnoun
Related words
- expansifexpansiveadjective
- expansionnismeexpansionismnoun