nationwide

American  

[ney-shuhn-wahyd] / ˈneɪ ʃənˈwaɪd /

adjective

1. extending throughout the nation.

   The incident aroused nationwide interest.

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nationwide British  

/ ˈneɪʃənˌwaɪd /

adjective

1. covering or available to the whole of a nation; national

   a nationwide survey

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Etymology

Origin of nationwide

First recorded in 1910–15; nation + -wide

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

Hailstorms, wildfires and wind damage are hammering places once thought to be shielded from the worst rate hikes, a Wall Street Journal analysis of premiums and natural disasters nationwide found.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The Irish government has announced further fuel supports for some workers and businesses, after nationwide protests in recent weeks.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

After garnering nationwide buzz since his debut 2023 Netflix special “Cowabunga,” Barbosa’s latest hour on Hulu, “Planet Bosa,” released in February, finds the 28-year-old reaching the top of his game.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

Older workers are retiring earlier than expected, driving down labor participation and weighing on overall economic growth nationwide.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Clips of the press conference would later appear as part of short newsreels shown before movies in theaters nationwide.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• civil
• communal
• domestic
• ethnic
• governmental
• internal
• interstate
• public
• social