nationwide

1 of 2

adjective

na·​tion·​wide ˌnā-shən-ˈwīd How to pronounce nationwide (audio)
: extending throughout a nation

nationwide

2 of 2

adverb

: throughout the nation

Examples of nationwide in a Sentence

Adjective The murders attracted nationwide attention.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
More recently, in 2019, these campuses became the epicenter of nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a controversial law that critics say discriminates against Muslims by making faith a criterion for citizenship. Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025 By the 1990s, when there wasn’t a single Top 40 station in the country playing the entire Top Ten, MTV was the most eclectic music source around, a nationwide 24-hour teenage riot of noise and chaos and cool. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2025
Adverb
The directive came as nearly 50 arson attacks, mostly targeting vehicles, and dozens of explosions of crude bombs have been reported nationwide over the past week. CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025 First off, this silver shampoo collection is salon quality but conveniently available at local retailers nationwide for around $10 a bottle. Austen Tosone, Glamour, 17 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nationwide

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1891, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nationwide was in 1891

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nationwide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationwide. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

nationwide

adjective
na·​tion·​wide
ˌnā-shən-ˈwīd
: extending throughout a nation
nationwide phone service

More from Merriam-Webster on nationwide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!