Over time, the space that makes up the universe is expanding. The words ' space ' and ' universe ', sometimes used interchangeably, have distinct meanings in this context. Here 'space' is a mathematical concept that stands for the three-dimensional manifold into which our respective positions are embedded, while 'universe' refers to everything that exists, including the matter and energy in space, the extra dimensions that may be wrapped up in various strings, and the time through which various events take place. The expansion of space is in reference to this 3D manifold only; that is, the description involves no structures such as extra dimensions or an exterior universe.