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

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.”

Example Sentences

Leading figures from the film industry and sport, including Shah Rukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, also paid tribute, reflecting the breadth of her influence across generations.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

"This breadth of experience provides a strong foundation for the responsibilities of command and the trust placed in me," she said.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

On top of that, science has advanced so far since the days of Newton that it’s hard for a single inventor to have enough breadth and depth of knowledge to work alone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

“The breadth of demand says that gold remains a compelling investment in today’s uncertain and increasingly dangerous world,” said Ash.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

Despite his fragile physical and mental health, William still had an unequaled breadth of cryptographic experience, as well as close and long-standing friendships with key people in European intelligence circles.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

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