expansion
noun
ɪkˈspænʃən
noun
1
when
something
increases
in
size,
range,
amount
etc
〔尺寸、范围、数量等的〕扩大，增加;
C,U
[+
of
]
The
rapid
expansion
of
cities
can
cause
social
and
economic
problems.
城市规模的迅速扩大会带来各种社会和经济问题。
[+
in
]
an
expansion
in
student
numbers
学生人数的增加
2
when
a
company,
business
etc
becomes
larger
by
opening
new
shops,
factories
etc
〔公司、企业等的〕扩张;
C,U
The
industry
underwent
a
period
of
rapid
expansion
.
该产业经历了一轮快速扩张。
3
an
idea,
story
etc
that
is
based
on
one
that
is
simpler
or
more
general
详述，展开，扩充
C
The
novel
is
an
expansion
of
a
short
story
he
wrote
about
forty
years
ago.
这部小说由他大约四十年前写的一篇短篇小说扩展而成。