breadth
Americannoun
-
the measure of the second largest dimension of a plane or solid figure; width.
-
an extent or piece of something of definite or full width or as measured by its width.
a breadth of cloth.
-
freedom from narrowness or restraint; liberality.
a person with great breadth of view.
- Synonyms:
- open-mindedness, impartiality, latitude
-
size in general; extent.
-
Art. a broad or general effect due to subordination of details or nonessentials.
noun
-
the linear extent or measurement of something from side to side; width
-
a piece of fabric having a standard or definite width
-
distance, extent, size, or dimension
-
openness and lack of restriction, esp of viewpoint or interest; liberality
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Explanation
If you measure the distance of an object from side to side, you are measuring the object’s breadth: “Theodore measured the breadth of the table before buying it to make sure it would fit in his small kitchen.” Breadth often refers to a physical measurement, but it can also be used to describe comprehensiveness or largeness of any kind, such as breadth of knowledge or breadth of experience. In the famous sentence describing Macedonian king Alexander the Great, the word breadth is used to indicate the vastness of Alexander’s empire: “When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain he wept, for there were no more worlds to conquer.”
Vocabulary lists containing breadth
100 SAT Words Beginning with "B"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Mythology
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Time Machine
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Breadth was negative earlier in May before moving back into positive territory.
From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026
Breadth indicators corroborate this oversold condition, supporting a bullish medium-to-long-term outlook.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
Breadth would have to remain positive for at least three consecutive days in order to generate a buy signal.
From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025
Breadth of participation transforms philanthropy from an elite activity to a collective, even democratic project in which everyone is a steward of the common good.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2023
"Breadth of rostrum above premolars" is easily duplicated in Lepus but in Sylvilagus the control points are difficult to find.
From Mammals Obtained by Dr. Curt von Wedel from the Barrier Beach of Tamaulipas, Mexico by Hall, E. Raymond (Eugene Raymond)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
