BROADEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does broaden mean? 

• BROADEN (verb)
  The verb BROADEN has 4 senses:

1. make broader

2. extend in scope or range or area

3. vary in order to spread risk or to expand

4. become broader

  Familiarity information: BROADEN used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BROADEN (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they broaden    ... he / she / it broadens   
Past simple: broadened   
Past participle: broadened   
-ing form: broadening   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make broader

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

broaden the road

Hypernyms (to "broaden" is one way to...):

broaden; extend; widen (extend in scope or range or area)

Cause:

broaden (become broader)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Extend in scope or range or area

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

broaden; extend; widen

Context example:

Extend your backyard

Hypernyms (to "broaden" is one way to...):

increase (make bigger or more)

Verb group:

expand; extend (expand the influence of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "broaden"):

broaden (make broader)

territorialise; territorialize (extend by adding territory)

globalise; globalize (make world-wide in scope or application)

stretch (extend the scope or meaning of; often unduly)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Vary in order to spread risk or to expand

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

branch out; broaden; diversify

Context example:

The company diversified

Hypernyms (to "broaden" is one way to...):

alter; change; vary (become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Become broader

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

The road broadened

Hypernyms (to "broaden" is one way to...):

increase (become bigger or greater in amount)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

 Context examples 

The short duration of the pulses puts an upper limit on the density of the halo gas because passage through a denser medium would broaden the duration of the radio signal.

(Enigmatic radio burst illuminates a galaxy’s tranquil ​halo, ESO)

This is a lovely place. The little river, the Esk, runs through a deep valley, which broadens out as it comes near the harbour.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Mohs RC, Knopman D, Petersen RC et al. Development of cognitive instruments for use in clinical trials of antidementia drugs: additions to the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale that broaden its scope.

(Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive CDISC Version Questionnaire, NCI Thesaurus)

To broaden its repertoire even further, it appears to have intracrine effects in the nucleus of cells that produce it, in addition to having autocrine, juxtacrine, paracrine, and possibly endocrine effects after secretion.

(Parathyroid Hormone-Like Hormone, NCI Thesaurus)

It is very possible that Jupiter’s broadening influence will result in an exciting foreign trip to a country you always hoped to see but feared you never would be able to go.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Milverton’s smile broadened and his eyes twinkled humorously.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The young novice, however, appeared to have other thoughts, for his eyes sparkled and his smile broadened.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Expression of the iCasp9 gene in T cells for adoptive transfer increases safety and broadens the scope for their clinical applications.

(Autologous iC9-GD2-CAR-expressing VZV-specific T Lymphocytes, NCI Thesaurus)

To provide senior fellowship support to established scientists who wish to make major changes in the direction of their research careers or who wish to broaden their scientific background by acquiring new research capabilities as independent research investigators in scientific health-related fields relevant to the missions of the NCI.

(National Research Service Award for Senior Fellows, NCI Thesaurus)