widespread

adjective

wide·​spread ˈwīd-ˈspred How to pronounce widespread (audio)
1
: widely diffused or prevalent
widespread public interest
2
: widely extended or spread out
low, widespread hood and fendersTime
a widespread erosion surfaceC. B. Hitchcock

Examples 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
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.
About 80% of Sagaing town, the regional capital, was damaged in the quake and there is widespread destruction across the surrounding rural townships, according to Kyaw Min. Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025 The dinner came after Trump announced widespread tariffs, but DeChambeau said the conversation had been light. Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025 Part of their widespread appeal is that they are made to be, as the name says, crispy and crunchy. Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Apr. 2025 The rashes may appear in a small area or be widespread on different body parts, such as arms, legs, back, and groin areas. Femi Aremu, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for widespread

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of widespread was in 1582

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Cite this Entry

“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

widespread

adjective
wide·​spread ˈwīd-ˈspred How to pronounce widespread (audio)
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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