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
Adding insult to injury was the inability of the Patriot interceptors to counter the overwhelming majority of the Scuds, despite widespread reports of its efficiency at the time.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
The 22-year-old pop star and actress, who grew up in Temecula, Calif., before moving to Los Angeles in middle school to star in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark, took to social media on Saturday (June 14) amid widespread protests.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 15 June 2025
Since returning to office on January 20, the president has overseen widespread Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations across the country.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
The widespread availability of I.V.F. treatments has contributed to a decrease in the age gap between older men and the women who have children with them.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
The 22-year-old pop star and actress, who grew up in Temecula, Calif., before moving to Los Angeles in middle school to star in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark, took to social media on Saturday (June 14) amid widespread protests.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 15 June 2025
Since returning to office on January 20, the president has overseen widespread Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations across the country.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
The widespread availability of I.V.F. treatments has contributed to a decrease in the age gap between older men and the women who have children with them.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 14 June 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 18 Jun. 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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