The breadthof something is the distance between its two sides.
The breadth of the whole camp was 400 paces. [+ of]
Synonyms: width, spread, beam, span More Synonyms of breadth
2. uncountable noun
The breadthof something is its quality of consisting of or involving many different things.
Older people have a tremendous breadth of experience. [+ of]
His breadth of knowledge filled me with admiration. [+ of]
Synonyms: extent, area, reach, range More Synonyms of breadth
3.
See the length and breadth of
4. See also hair's breadth
More Synonyms of breadth
breadth in British English
(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
Word origin
C16: from obsolete brēde (from Old English brǣdu, from brādbroad) + -th1; related to Gothic braidei, Old High German breitī
breadth in American English
(brɛdθ)
noun
1.
the distance from side to side of a thing; width
2.
a piece of a given and regular width
a breadth of satin
3.
lack of narrowness or of restriction
true breadth of understanding
4. Art
an effect of unity and inclusiveness achieved as by subordinating details
Word origin
ME bræde < OE brædu < brad, broad; -th by analogy with length
More idioms containing
breadth
within a hair's breadth of something
come within a hair's breadth of doing something
Examples of 'breadth' in a sentence
breadth
Three cedars threw their coarse shadows over the meadow, and as she watched, a soaring goshawk was lost in their breadth.
McCorquodale, Robin DANSVILLE (2003)
As Colin focused in carefully and panned the camera across the breadth of the stairs, Alice gave a small whimper.
Barbara Erskine HIDING FROM THE LIGHT (2003)
As I write, the average height of an Englishwoman is a hair's breadth below 5 5.
Hilary Mantel LEARNING TO TALK: SHORT STORIES (2003)
At close to six feet, Gerrard had the height and breadth of shoulder to carry the austere lines.
Stephanie Laurens WHOLE SECRET LOVE (2003)
In other languages
breadth
British English: breadth NOUN
The breadth of something is the distance between its two sides.
The breadth of the whole camp was 400 paces.
American English: breadth
Brazilian Portuguese: largura
Chinese: 宽度
European Spanish: anchura
French: largeur
German: Breite
Italian: larghezza
Japanese: 幅
Korean: 너비
European Portuguese: largura
Latin American Spanish: ancho
All related terms of 'breadth'
hair's breadth
A hair's breadth is a very small degree or amount .
hand's-breadth
→ handbreadth
half-breadth plan
a diagrammatic plan of one half of the hull of a vessel divided lengthwise amidships , showing water lines, stations , diagonals , and bow and buttock lines
fingerbreadth
the width of a finger , used as an indication of length
hairsbreadth
→ hairbreadth
the length and breadth of
If you say that someone does something or something happens throughout or across the length and breadth of a place, you are emphasizing that it happens everywhere in that place.
within a hair's breadth of something
very close to something
come within a hair's breadth of doing something
to very nearly do something
Chinese translation of 'breadth'
breadth
(brɛtθ)
n(u)
(= width) 宽(寬)度 (kuāndù)
(fig)[of experience, knowledge]丰(豐)富 (fēngfù)
1 (noun)
The breadth of the whole camp was 400 metres.
Synonyms
width
The width of the road has been increased to 20 ft.
spread
The rhododendron grows to 18 inches with a spread of 24 inches.
beam
span
The bridge has a span of 579 feet.
latitude
broadness
wideness
2 (noun)
Definition
the extent or measurement of something from side to side
The breadth of his knowledge filled me with admiration.
Synonyms
extent
an estate about seven or eight acres in extent
area
Although large in area, the flat did not have many rooms.
reach
Luckily, the phone was in easy reach.
range
The trees on the mountain within my range of vision had all been felled.
measure
The colonies were claiming a larger measure of self-government.
size
books of various sizes
scale
He underestimates the scale of the problem.
spread
sweep
the whole sweep of German social and political history
scope
the scope of a novel
magnitude
the magnitude of the task confronting them
compass
Within the compass of a book of this size, such a comprehensive survey is not practicable.
expanse
a vast expanse of grassland
vastness
amplitude
The operatic amplitude of her voice suits the occasion.
comprehensiveness
extensiveness
3 (noun)
Definition
openness and lack of restriction, esp. of viewpoint or interest
Synonyms
broad-mindedness
freedom
freedom to buy and sell at the best price
openness
latitude
She will be given every latitude in forming a new government.
permissiveness
open-mindedness
liberality
Such liberality is now blamed for making divorce increasingly common.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of amplitude
Definition
greatness of extent
The operatic amplitude of her voice suits the occasion.
Synonyms
extent,
reach,
range,
size,
mass,
sweep,
dimension,
bulk,
scope,
width,
magnitude,
compass,
greatness,
breadth,
expanse,
vastness,
spaciousness,
bigness,
largeness,
hugeness,
capaciousness
in the sense of area
Definition
range or scope
Although large in area, the flat did not have many rooms.
Synonyms
range,
reach,
size,
sweep,
extent,
scope,
sphere,
domain,
width,
compass,
breadth,
parameters (informal),
latitude,
expanse,
radius,
ambit,
footprint
in the sense of compass
Definition
limits or range
Within the compass of a book of this size, such a comprehensive survey is not practicable.