breadth

American  

[bredth, bretth, breth] / brɛdθ, brɛtθ, brɛθ /

noun

1. the measure of the second largest dimension of a plane or solid figure; width.

2. an extent or piece of something of definite or full width or as measured by its width.

   a breadth of cloth.

3. freedom from narrowness or restraint; liberality.

   a person with great breadth of view.

   Synonyms:

   open-mindedness, impartiality, latitude

4. size in general; extent.

   Synonyms:

   compass, reach, range, scope, span

5. Art. a broad or general effect due to subordination of details or nonessentials.

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breadth British  

/ brɛtθ, brɛdθ /

noun

1. the linear extent or measurement of something from side to side; width

2. a piece of fabric having a standard or definite width

3. distance, extent, size, or dimension

4. openness and lack of restriction, esp of viewpoint or interest; liberality

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Other Word Forms

• breadthless adjective

Etymology

Origin of breadth

1515–25; earlier bredeth, equivalent to brede breadth ( Middle English; Old English brǣdu, equivalent to brǣd-, mutated variant of brād broad + -u noun suffix) + -th ¹ ( def. ) akin to German Breite, Gothic braidei

Example Sentences

Market breadth has been poor, with both breadth oscillators remaining on sell signals, in oversold territory.

From MarketWatch

Glancing up, he saw with a start that his fingers were a hair’s breadth away from a large splayed hand that had been hammer-etched deep into the stone.

From Literature

The breadth of the securities market recovery is notable as small- and mid-cap turnover surged 135% in February, signaling the bull run isn’t just an index story but is broadening out across the market.

From The Wall Street Journal

Reaching more villages, towns and communities the length and breadth of Scotland.

From BBC

Market breadth is weak, so both breadth oscillators remain on sell signals currently.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• comprehensiveness
• dimension
• fullness
• magnitude
• range
• scale
• scope
• size