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

Online retailer Chewy has also broadened into pharmacy subscriptions and veterinary clinics. — Elsa Ohlen,carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026

Recalls are broadening to reach some US retail stores, where many shoppers have stayed away from buying berries and leafy greens in recent weeks. — Jaewon Kang, Fortune, 18 July 2026

Iran also broadened its retaliatory strikes, hitting Bahrain, Kuwait and mediator Qatar. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

By exposing the model to multiple valid solutions, GIFT broadens its understanding of how CAD designs can be constructed. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 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