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

Although Orkin doesn’t cover quite the same breadth of pests as Terminix, the outstanding customer service and technician expertise edge out the field. —Nick Perry, USA Today, 14 June 2026

Cisco’s Platform Story For Enterprises Is Getting Clearer Cisco has talked about platform breadth for years, but this event showed a more coherent model for how that breadth fits together in service of the work that faces corporate IT departments every day. —Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Old Forester is known for the breadth of its portfolio, which ranges from lower-proof, affordable core expressions to annual unicorn releases like Birthday Bourbon. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 10 June 2026

In the decades after the second World War, the federal government began pouring billions into building an interstate highway system that stretched across the nation’s breadth. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 10 June 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