widen

verb

wid·​en ˈwī-dᵊn How to pronounce widen (audio)
widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ How to pronounce widen (audio)
ˈwī-dᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

: to increase the width, scope, or extent of
widen a road
widen an investigation

intransitive verb

: to become wide or wider
a widening gap
widener
ˈwīd-nər How to pronounce widen (audio)
ˈwī-dᵊn-ər
noun

Examples of widen in a Sentence

The city is going to widen the road. They plan to widen the investigation. Her eyes widened in surprise. They went swimming at a spot where the river widens. The scope of the investigation has widened.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even calls to widen the availability of prescriptions for children with treatment-resistant epilepsy (many of whom are still unable to access the treatment at all) were shut down by Health Minister Karin Smyth in the House of Commons in January— despite her previous support while in opposition. Sarah Sinclair, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 The latest national tests showed one-third of eighth grade students missing fundamental skills in reading, and a widening gap between the highest-performing and lower-performing students. Bianca Vázquez Toness, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 Similarly, if the cracks continue to widen or lengthen over time, this often means that the foundation is shifting or sinking. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2025 The revival of the Man Repeller trend comes early into the second administration of President Donald Trump, as political divides continue to widen. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for widen

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of widen was in 1566

Cite this Entry

“Widen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widen. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

widen

verb
wid·​en ˈwīd-ᵊn How to pronounce widen (audio)
widened; widening ˈwīd-niŋ How to pronounce widen (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become wide or wider : broaden

More from Merriam-Webster on widen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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