breadth

1 of 2

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

breadthways

2 of 2

adverb (or adjective)

breadth·​ways

ˈbretth-ˌwāz, 

ˈbredth-, 

÷ ˈbreth-

variants or breadthwise

ˈbretth-ˌwīz 

ˈbredth-, 

÷ ˈbreth-

: in the direction of the breadth : not lengthwise

Synonyms of breadth

Noun

• expansion
• expanse
• length
• stretch

Examples of breadth in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

That breadth matters because a healthy theater community needs places where smaller companies don’t carry the price or expectations of Broadway shows. — Brian Beirne, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

The slipper brand wants consumers to see the breadth of its lifestyle slipper offerings. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026

The kingdom relies on the East-West Pipeline, which runs the breadth of the country, to move its crude production from Gulf ports to ports on its western, Red Sea coast. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Hoover, however, said smaller skilled traders could still retain an edge in niche markets, as the sheer breadth of contracts allows traders to develop highly specialized expertise and even become market makers. — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

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