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

Didi enables the actor to explore her dramatic breadth within a comedy that is decidedly and intentionally funny.

From Salon

She said: “If you look at the breadth of the abuse, this didn’t just happen in Harrods. I’m already hearing from survivors who are saying this happened in other areas.”

From BBC

The breadth of Chiari type-1 presentations has made it difficult for physicians to develop a consistent treatment protocol for their patients.

From Science Daily

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

Related Words

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