widen

verb

wid·​en ˈwī-dᵊn How to pronounce widen (audio)
widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ How to pronounce widen (audio)
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 How to pronounce widen (audio)
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
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.
The final phase of the project will widen Highway 46 on the way to Kern County. Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2025 Also on Monday, Lorde hilariously reacted to the trend by posting a video of herself widening her eyes and shaking her head in disappointment. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 11 June 2025 The pool is widened even further by the fact that the March sisters' father recently published a controversial bestseller about them, making just about anybody a potential suspect. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 June 2025 Nitric oxide has many roles in the body, including helping blood vessels relax and widen, which in turn lowers blood pressure.2 One review found that nitrates from beetroot juice can help lower systolic blood pressure (the top number) in people with high blood pressure.3 2. Lindsey Desoto, Health, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for widen

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of widen was in 1566

Cite this Entry

“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widen. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

widen

verb
wid·​en ˈwīd-ᵊn How to pronounce widen (audio)
widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ How to pronounce widen (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become wide or wider : broaden

More from Merriam-Webster on widen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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