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

While ReliaQuest’s research centered on credential theft, Microsoft reports that the attacks can deliver malware directly to victims’ devices, significantly broadening the threat. — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Trump has repeatedly threatened to invade Kharg Island or otherwise broaden military operations throughout the conflict as Tehran has continued launching missiles and drones at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Also Wednesday, wildlife officials in neighboring Montana broadened afternoon fishing restrictions to now cover 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers) of rivers. — Matthew Brown, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026

With the arrival of Sauvage Extrait this week, Dior has expanded its bestselling men’s fragrance into a fifth successor, each broadening the identity of the Sauvage landscape (rather than competing with the original itself). — Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 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