extensive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
    extended.
    • an extensive Roman settlement in northwest England
    • extended farm lands
    • surgeons with extended experience
    • they suffered extensive damage
  2. adjective satellite broad in scope or content
    wide; across-the-board; broad; blanket; all-encompassing; encompassing; all-inclusive; all-embracing; panoptic.
    • across-the-board pay increases
    • an all-embracing definition
    • blanket sanctions against human-rights violators
    • an invention with broad applications
    • a panoptic study of Soviet nationality"- T.G.Winner
    • granted him wide powers
  3. adjective of agriculture; increasing productivity by using large areas with minimal outlay and labor
    • producing wheat under extensive conditions
    • agriculture of the extensive type

WordNet

Ex*ten"sive adjective
Etymology
L. extensivus: cf. F. extensif. See Extend.
Definitions
  1. Having wide extent; of much superficial extent; expanded; large; broad; wide; comprehensive; as, an extensive farm; an extensive lake; an extensive sphere of operations; extensive benevolence; extensive greatness.
  2. Capable of being extended. Obs.
    Silver beaters choose the finest coin, as that which is most extensive under the hammer. Boyle.

Webster 1913