noun
Uncommon
breadth
brehdth
Breadth (noun) means the measurement of something from side to side; width. Example: “They measured the breadth of the river before building the bridge.”
noun
1
The measurement of something from side to side; width.
"They measured the breadth of the river before building the bridge."
2
The range or scope of something, such as knowledge or experience.
""The breadth of this LPR system is spectacular and amounts to a warrantless search.""
— Chris Eberhart, NY police used AI to track drivers on highways as attorney questions legality (2023)
"The professor was known for the breadth of his knowledge across many fields."
"expand one’s breadth of marketing"
How to use breadth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow wide something is, or figuratively, how wide-ranging something is (knowledge, experience, choice).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
breadth of experience
breadth and depth
width and breadth
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Word forms
- Plural
- breadths
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They measured the _____ of the river before building the bridge.
Etymology
From Middle English brede ("breadth"), reshaped to match the pattern of length and strength, ultimately related to broad.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “breadth” mean?
The word “breadth” means the measurement of something from side to side; width. In plain terms, how wide something is, or figuratively, how wide-ranging something is (knowledge, experience, choice).
How do you pronounce “breadth”?
“Breadth” is pronounced brehdth (/bɹɛdθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “breadth” in a sentence?
Here is “breadth” used in a sentence: “They measured the breadth of the river before building the bridge.”
What part of speech is “breadth”?
“Breadth” is a noun.
Where does the word “breadth” come from?
The word “breadth” comes from Middle English. From Middle English brede ("breadth"), reshaped to match the pattern of length and strength, ultimately related to broad.
Is “breadth” a common word?
“Breadth” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “breadth” have?
“Breadth” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the measurement of something from side to side; width.
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