breadth

UK: /ˈbrɛdθ/, /ˈbrɛtθ/

US: /brɛdθ, brɛtθ/

US: (bredth, bretth, breth)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

breadth /brɛdθ, brɛtθ/   n. 

1. Weights and Measures the measure of the distance from side to side of a solid object;
   width:
   [uncountable] The table was ten feet in breadth.
   [countable] The breadths of the columns varied too much.
2. the extent, scope, or range of something:
   [uncountable] We hired her because of the breadth of her knowledge.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

breadth  (bredth, bretth, breth), n. 

1. Weights and Measures 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.
4. size in general;
   extent.
5. Fine Art [Art.] a broad or general effect due to subordination of details or nonessentials.

• 1515–25; earlier bredeth, equivalent. to brede breadth (Middle English; Old English brǣdu, equivalent. to brǣd-, mutated variant of brād broad + -u noun, nominal suffix) + -th^1; akin to German Breite, Gothic braidei

breadth′less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 3. latitude, impartiality, open-mindedness.
• 4. scope, range, reach, compass, span.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

breadth / brɛdθ brɛtθ/ 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

Etymology: 16th Century: from obsolete brēde (from Old English brǣdu, from brād broad) + -th¹; related to Gothic braidei, Old High German breitī