width

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noun \ ˈwidth , ˈwitth \

Definition of width

1 :the horizontal measurement taken at right angles to the length :breadth

2 :largeness of extent or scope

3 :a measured and cut piece of material

a width of calico

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See width defined for kids

Examples of width in a Sentence

What is the width of the table?
She carefully measured the length and width of the room.
The deck runs the full width of the house.
The carpet is available in several widths.
We swam ten widths in the pool.
I bought two widths of fabric.

Recent Examples of width from the Web

The new machines are so tiny, at just a nanometer wide, that 50,000 of them could be lined up across the width of a human hair.

— ryan cross, Science | AAAS, "Nanomachines drill holes into cancer cells," 30 Aug. 2017
Measure and cut balsa wood and Velcro to width of shelf opening.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "Martha’s projects tackle headboards, backpacks and savory snacks," 26 Aug. 2017
The code prohibits a third driveway entry, or curb-cut, on properties like Freeburg's, one that's wider than 75 feet in width.

— kathy routliffe, chicagotribune.com, "Stormwater design leads to approval for revamped driveway plans," 22 Aug. 2017
Tethers are very thin (about the width of a headphone cable) and are easily transported and linked up to a flying COW.

— nancy dahlberg, miamiherald, "We’re all teched up if the Big One strikes," 22 Aug. 2017
Begin in a squat position with your feet hip-width apart, making sure your knees don't go past your toes.

— kaleigh fasanella, Teen Vogue, "Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott of Tone It Up Teach Us 5 Stress-Reducing Workouts," 26 July 2017
Seattle generally follows federal guidelines for determining how long walk signs appear at intersections, and that time varies by location and is based on criteria such as street width and amount of traffic.

— jessica lee, The Seattle Times, "Do pedestrian push-to-walk buttons do anything? Here’s the answer," 17 July 2017
The master bedroom runs the width of the second level, with dormer windows set into slanted walls at either end.

— marcelle sussman fischler, New York Times, "House Hunting in … Amsterdam," 5 July 2017
The USA’s width, spacing and coverage was solid, and it was provided by energetic players comfortable in possession and capable of relieving pressure or hitting a quick pass through the lines that forced Ghana onto the back foot.

— brian straus, SI.com, "Dwyer provides holiday fireworks on USA debut in Gold Cup tune-up win vs. Ghana," 1 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'width.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of width

¹wide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1627

See Words from the same year

width Synonyms

Synonyms

ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confines, dimension (s), extent, reach, realm, scope, sweep, range

Related Words

gamut, spectrum, spread; bailiwick, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, province, region, specialty, sphere, terrain; frontier; horizon, panorama

Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, pace, twain

WIDTH Defined for English Language Learners

width

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noun

Definition of width for English Language Learners

: the distance from one side of something to the other side : a measurement of how wide something is
: a measured and cut piece of material (such as cloth)