B2
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 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.