widen

verb

wid·​en ˈwī-dᵊn 

widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ 

ˈwī-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to increase the width, scope, or extent of

widen a road

widen an investigation

intransitive verb

: to become wide or wider

a widening gap

widener

ˈwīd-nər 

ˈwī-dᵊn-ər

noun

Examples of widen in a Sentence

The city is going to widen the road.

They plan to widen the investigation.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

They went swimming at a spot where the river widens.

The scope of the investigation has widened.

Recent Examples on the Web

As Johnson describes a lightbulb moment from earlier this offseason, his eyes widen. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Amrad said the search area was widened Wednesday across the Sunda Strait, stretching from Carita and the islands of Rakata and Panjang to the waters around Sebesi and Legundi islands. — Niniek Karmini, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Transportation for America argues that widening highways can actually increase congestion by encouraging more driving. — Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026

China’s total export growth across global trade partners continues to accelerate, helping the country widen its overall trade surplus. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for widen

• poseidon

Kids Definition

widen

verb

wid·​en ˈwīd-ᵊn 

widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become wide or wider : broaden