breadth

noun

ˈbretth 

ˈbredth,

nonstandard

ˈbreth 

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 

ˈbredth-

 nonstandard  ˈbreth-

adverb or adjective

Synonyms

• expansion
• expanse
• length
• stretch

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

Jung’s programming philosophy balances breadth with precision. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025

With a showroom in Laguna Hills, A&R serves builders, designers andhome owners a wide breadth of flooring and carpeting options, including hardwood from makers like Anderson Tuftex, Reward, Garrison and Shaw Floors. —Liz Ohanesian, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

Market breadth was soft, the median stock sagging a bit but still in for a decent week. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025

The effects are a bit dated, but director Mark Robson put the city through such a wringer that the breadth of the destruction is breathtaking. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing breadth

• hair's breadth
• the length and breadth of

Rhymes for breadth

• overbreadth

Kids Definition

breadth

noun

ˈbredth  ˈbretth 

ˈbreth

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