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

Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 prompted unified Western sanctions, massive military aid, and rhetorical solidarity, but by late 2025, strategic divergences had widened amid battlefield stalemates, economic fatigue, and diplomatic initiatives. —Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026

Not long after, that source became unreachable, suggesting the blackout had widened even further. —CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026

The director widened the project to a feature-length film to create Yellow Brick Road. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 2026

The stores are closing the gap between the perception of their product quality compared to other stores while widening their price perception advantage. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Jan. 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