widespread

[ wahyd-spred ]

/ ˈwaɪdˈsprɛd /

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adjective

spread over or open, or occupying a wide space.

distributed over a wide region, or occurring in many places or among many persons or individuals: widespread poverty.

Nearby words

wideman, widemouth blindcat, widemouthed, widen, widescreen, widespread, widgeon, widget, widgie, widish, widnes

Origin of widespread

First recorded in 1695–1705; wide + spread

SYNONYMS FOR widespread

2 far-reaching, extensive, pervasive, far-flung.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR widespread ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for widespread

But the inability to measure progress in the ISIS campaign is widespread.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Where the force generating those threats is a widespread, self-sustaining, and virulent social movement?
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Widespread, popular protests began last week after the local grand jury decision.
Eric Garner Protesters Have a Direct Line to City Hall|Jacob Siegel|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The history of journalism is filled with hoaxes, sensationalism, and widespread misconceptions.
I Blame People Who Blame the Media: Robert McCulloch’s Tone-Deaf Speech|Arthur Chu|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But amid this widespread and sustained dissatisfaction, 2014 was a terrible year for third-party candidates.
How to Run a Statewide Campaign on $38|Michael Ames|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1934 a widespread fire deforested large areas of pinyon-juniper woodland on the northern end of Wetherill Mesa.
Comparative Ecology of Pinyon Mice and Deer Mice in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado|Charles L. Douglas
Thus a widespread relation of mutual helpfulness exists between plants and animals.
A Civic Biology|George William Hunter
The old chronicle is entirely in error when it repeats the then widespread rumour of Mary's inclination for Courtenay.
A History of England Principally in the Seventeenth Century, Volume I (of 6)|Leopold von Ranke
Gastrophilus equi is the most widespread and common of the horse bot-flies.
Handbook of Medical Entomology|William Albert Riley
The great Bank failure produced heart-rending and widespread distress.
Philosopher Jack|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for widespread

widespread

/ (ˈwaɪdˌsprɛd) /

adjective

extending over a wide area

accepted by or occurring among many people

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for widespread

widespread

1705, from wide + spread.

widespread

adjective

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Origin of widespread

Examples from the Web for widespread

British Dictionary definitions for widespread

widespread

adjective

Word Origin and History for widespread

widespread