breadth

[ bredth, bretth, breth ]

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.

breadth

/ 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

Other Words From

• breadthless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of breadth¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of breadth¹

C16: from obsolete brēde (from Old English brǣdu , from brād broad ) + -th ¹; related to Gothic braidei , Old High German breitī

Example Sentences

A majority of respondents ascribed consciousness to a broad taxonomic breadth of animals, although at slightly lower majorities as compared to emotions.

From Science Daily

Harrods, which came under new ownership in 2010, said in a statement that the new claims point to the "breadth of abuse" by Al Fayed and "raise serious allegations" against his brother.

From BBC

Despite the scale and breadth of McCartney’s offending only four children went to the police.

From BBC

While the impact of these thinkers on the campaign to end slavery and achieve full citizenship has been increasingly acknowledged in recent decades, the breadth, coherence and significance of their vision remains little known.

From Salon

What followed was unprecedented in its breadth, cruelty and recklessness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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