breadth

noun

ˈbretth How to pronounce breadth (audio)
ˈbredth,
nonstandard
ˈbreth How to pronounce breadth (audio)
1
: distance from side to side : width
the height, breadth, and depth of each piece of furniture
2
: something of full width
begin with a breadth of silk
3
a
: comprehensive quality : scope
the breadth of his learning
b
: liberality of views or taste
breadth of mind
breadthwise
ˈbretth-ˌwīz How to pronounce breadth (audio)
ˈbredth-
 nonstandard  ˈbreth-
adverb or adjective

Examples of breadth in a Sentence

We measured the height, breadth, and depth of each piece of furniture. a great breadth of land awaited those who were brave and hardy enough to settle it
Recent Examples on the Web This highlights the breadth of Thomas’ work and also its sheer impressive volume. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2023 Demonstrating the breadth of his influence, Braddock has earned chart-toppers in five different decades. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Sep. 2023 Not just more opportunity in the sense of being able to do what's going to pay off, but more opportunities, like more breadth of opportunity. Gideon Lichfield, WIRED, 20 Sep. 2023 Michael's statements to investigators, described to ABC News by sources, shed further light on the breadth of evidence that Smith has amassed to support his case against Trump. Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2023 Because of the storm’s breadth, however, its effects could stretch along a huge swath of the coast. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 13 Sep. 2023 Strong results for underserved student performance, focusing on students who are black, Hispanic, or from low income households, plus performance on AP Advanced Placement or IB International Baccalaureate exams, plus the curriculum breadth. Laura Johnston, cleveland, 1 Sep. 2023 Her other assets were all there, clear to see in the breadth of her game: terrific dodging footwork, whipping strokes, chiseled fitness. Sally Jenkins, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Sep. 2023 During his student days, Bhat undertook frequent 40-hour train journeys across the breadth of the country in the 1990s, including on trains where some of the coaches were targeted by bandits, and that was the genesis of the film. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breadth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English breadeth, breth, from brede breadth (from Old English brǣdu, from brād broad) + -th (as in lengthe length)

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breadth was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near breadth

Cite this Entry

“Breadth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breadth. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

breadth

noun
1
: distance from side to side : width
2
a
: something of full width
b
: a wide area
3
: scope entry 1 sense 2
breadth of knowledge

More from Merriam-Webster on breadth

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