broaden

verb

broad·​en ˈbrȯ-dᵊn 

broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ 

ˈbrȯ-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to make broader

intransitive verb

: to become broad

Examples of broaden in a Sentence

They need to broaden their understanding of other cultures.

The police have broadened the scope of the investigation.

Her smile broadened when I told her the good news.

The investigation has broadened to include the mayor's staff.

His interests broadened to include art and music, not just sports.

Recent Examples on the Web

Attacks have broadened to target Iran’s banking and financial infrastructure, a move that could spur protests and further instability in the country. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026

The movement and field of preservation and architectural history has since broadened its purview to include the vernacular, the midcentury modern and even the postmodern, yet our data and policies in Chicago remain stuck in the past. —Elizabeth Blasius, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

Removing financial barriers to entering the profession broadens access and increases teacher diversity. —Valentyna Banner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026

In a way, that complexity has pushed us to broaden the portfolio and position Goodmellow as a functional beverage brand, not just a THC beverage. —Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing broaden

• broaden one's horizons/mind

Rhymes for broaden

• codon
• sodden
• trodden
• woden
• anticodon
• downtrodden
• gliadin
• untrodden
• prekindergarten

Kids Definition

broaden

verb

broad·​en ˈbrȯd-ᵊn 

broadened; broadening ˈbrȯd-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become broad or broader

broaden your horizons