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.
The air district’s governing board convened Friday, lamenting the widespread destruction from the wildfires and the persisting danger from heavy smoke. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 The inclusion of each specific gear type was chosen based on widespread adoption by hunters in Idaho and neighboring states. Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025 Firefighters were able to get that blaze under control, but before then, there were widespread evacuation mandates in the Hollywood area. Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 Another is the systemic event exclusion, a clause that limits or excludes coverage for losses arising from widespread, large-scale cyber incidents affecting multiple policyholders at once. Matt Cullina, Forbes, 10 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near widespread

Cite this Entry

“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 18 Jan. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on widespread

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!