widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred 
1
: widely diffused or prevalent
widespread public interest
2
: widely extended or spread out
… low, widespread hood and fenders …—
Time
Timea widespread erosion surface—C. B. Hitchcock
C. B. HitchcockExamples of widespread in a Sentence
There is widespread public interest in the election.
Trade partners had become more widespread.
There was widespread opposition to the plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
By Monday, a potent low-pressure center will come ashore somewhere around the San Francisco Bay Area, blanketing the state in widespread precipitation and gusty winds.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026
Violence is widespread in the city proper, with large encampments where meth and other drugs are readily available and criminals reportedly exploit the city’s free bus system to carry out offenses.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The district proposes to use bond money to consolidate certain elementary schools, but more widespread consolidation and closures are in the district’s future, despite the outcome of the election, district officials have said.
—Kendrick Calfee
february 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Heavy rain in February 2025 caused deadly and widespread flooding across Kentucky.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
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Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2026
Violence is widespread in the city proper, with large encampments where meth and other drugs are readily available and criminals reportedly exploit the city’s free bus system to carry out offenses.
—Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
The district proposes to use bond money to consolidate certain elementary schools, but more widespread consolidation and closures are in the district’s future, despite the outcome of the election, district officials have said.
—Kendrick Calfee
february 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Feb. 2026
Heavy rain in February 2025 caused deadly and widespread flooding across Kentucky.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for widespread
Cite this Entry
“Widespread.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widespread. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
widespread
adjective
wide·spread
ˈwīd-ˈspred
1
: scattered or found over a wide area
widespread interest in the election
2
: spread out over a wide area
widespread wings
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