Utökning

Utökning is a Swedish noun describing the act or result of making something larger or broader, that is, an enlargement of size, scope, duration, or capability. The term is used across different fields to denote a process of extending or widening.

In general use, utökning refers to increasing the amount or reach of something, such as extending a deadline, lengthening a contract, or enlarging a physical space. In time management and administration, it commonly denotes the extension of a period, license, or mandate; for example, a permit might be granted with an utökning of its validity.

In mathematics and logic, the concept can describe enlarging a structure by adding elements or definitions, though more specific terminology is often used in subfields. The core idea remains the same: to widen or deepen the object under consideration by including additional features.

In biology and ecology, utökning can appear in discussions of range or distribution expansion—describing, for instance, the geographic reach of a species increasing due to environmental changes or dispersal.

In computing and technology, utökning may refer to add-ons or plugins that extend software capabilities. Note that the common Swedish term for a file type extension is filändelse, and utökning as a standalone term is less typical in this domain.

In business and economics, utökning describes growth strategies such as the expansion of operations, markets, or product lines.

Etymology: the word combines ut- (outward) and ökning (increase).