/ bredθ; NAmE / noun [ U , C ]
1.
the distance or measurement from one side to the other; how broad or wide sth is
SYN width :
She estimated the breadth of the lake to be 500 metres.
—compare length
2.
a wide range (of knowledge, interests, etc.) :
He was surprised at her breadth of reading.
The curriculum needs breadth and balance.
a new political leader whose breadth of vision (= willingness to accept new ideas) can persuade others to change
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IDIOMS
see length
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WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent.: from obsolete brede in the same sense (related to broad ) + -th , on the pattern of length .