nationwide
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of nationwide
Explanation
Something nationwide refers to or covers the whole country. A nationwide shortage of wheat would affect everyone in every single state. A gossipy news story about a presidential candidate might cause a nationwide scandal, if everyone in the whole country were talking about it. And if a drought seemed to be spreading nationwide, farmers from Maine to California would start to worry about that year's crops. Nationwide combines nation, from the Latin nationem, "origin" or "race of people," and wide, from its "extending through the whole of" meaning.
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.
District Court judge for the District of New Hampshire blocked the order from taking effect pending litigation and provisionally certified a nationwide class of children who the order would affect.
From Salon • Jun. 25, 2026
The paper summarises the findings that "520 babies & mums died or suffered avoidable harm", featuring too the response from Health Secretary James Murray who "vowed nationwide change".
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
In 2018 a study by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, which tracks nationwide youth sports participation, reported a 14% three-year drop in the number of youth soccer players.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 23, 2026
Grassroots coalitions have pushed for limits in California and nationwide as parents have become alarmed over how digital activities are replacing hands-on learning and peer interaction.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2026
“Most fields of human merchandising value nationwide brand identities,” he said.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
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.
