widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred 
1
: widely diffused or prevalent
widespread public interest
2
: widely extended or spread out
low, widespread hood and fenders—
Time
Timea widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock
C. B. HitchcockExamples of widespread in a Sentence
There is widespread public interest in the election.
Trade partners had become more widespread.
There was widespread opposition to the plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Such shifting dynamics are driving researchers to expand their monitoring infrastructure and complement it with crowdsourced and satellite data to capture the widespread pollution.
—ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
The once-famous case of Ebenezer Smith Platt reminds us that widespread attention to acts of tyranny that violate foundational rights is critical to maintaining those rights.
—Time, 9 July 2025
Like, for example, some of the fields currently used to grow corn, the most widespread crop in America—particularly those used to grow corn for ethanol.
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
Now, after years of widespread societal evolution on the issue, and political momentum from President Donald Trump and the GOP's unanimous stance on the issue, a new federal precedent could come into effect as early as next year.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
The once-famous case of Ebenezer Smith Platt reminds us that widespread attention to acts of tyranny that violate foundational rights is critical to maintaining those rights.
—Time, 9 July 2025
Like, for example, some of the fields currently used to grow corn, the most widespread crop in America—particularly those used to grow corn for ethanol.
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
Now, after years of widespread societal evolution on the issue, and political momentum from President Donald Trump and the GOP's unanimous stance on the issue, a new federal precedent could come into effect as early as next year.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred
1
: scattered or found over a wide area
widespread interest in the election
2
: spread out over a wide area
widespread wings
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