Width: meaning, definitions and examples

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width

 

[wษชdฮธ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

measurement

The measurement or extent of something from side to side; the distance across something.

Synonyms

breadth, extent, span.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
width

Use when referring to the measurement of how wide something is from one side to the other.

  • The width of the table is 90 cm.
  • We need to check the width of the room before buying the carpet.
breadth

Applied when talking about the width of something in a more general or figurative sense, such as knowledge or experience.

  • The breadth of her knowledge on the subject is impressive.
  • The river has a considerable breadth at this point.
extent

Used to discuss the degree, range, or size of something, often more abstract or less precisely measured.

  • The extent of the damage caused by the storm is still being assessed.
  • I didn't realize the extent of his influence in the company.
span

Typically refers to the complete reach or stretch between two points, often in the context of time or physical distance.

  • The bridge has a span of 200 meters.
  • The project will span five years.

Examples of usage

  • The width of the table is 3 feet.
  • She measured the width of the room before buying the furniture.
  • The width of the river was too great to swim across.
Context #2 | Noun

clothing

The measurement around the body at a specific point, such as the waist or chest.

Synonyms

circumference, girth.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
width

Use when measuring the distance from one side to the other of an object or space.

  • What is the width of this table? The width of the river is about 200 meters
circumference

Use when referring to the distance around the edge of a circular object.

  • The circumference of the circle is 31
  • 4 centimeters
  • We measured the circumference of the tree trunk
girth

Use when describing the measurement around the middle of something, often used for circular or cylindrical objects. Can have negative connotations when referring to body size.

  • The girth of the horse was impressive
  • His girth had increased after the holidays

Examples of usage

  • She asked for his width before tailoring the suit.
  • The width of the waistline was too tight for her.
Context #3 | Noun

technology

The number of bits stored or transferred in a single operation.

Synonyms

bit-width, data width.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
width

General measurement of how wide something is, applicable in everyday situations, architecture, and basic geometry.

  • The width of the table is 90 cm
  • Measure the width of the room before buying furniture
bit-width

Specific to computer science and digital electronics, referring to the number of bits used in architecture or data paths in computing devices.

  • The processor has a bit-width of 64 bits
  • When designing a new application, consider the bit-width requirements
data width

Used in the context of data processing and computing, referring to the size of the data bus or the amount of data that can be processed or transferred simultaneously.

  • The data width of this system is 16 bits
  • A larger data width can lead to faster data processing

Examples of usage

  • The computer's processing power is determined by the width of its data bus.
  • The width of the memory module affects the speed of data transfer.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'width' comes from Old English 'wiรพeรฐ', which meant 'breadth' or 'extensiveness'.
  • In Middle English, it was written as 'withe', reflecting the evolution of the word over centuries.
  • It is closely related to other measurement terms, such as 'length' and 'height', which describe dimensions.

Mathematics

  • In geometry, width is one of the three dimensions used to describe the size of an object, combined with length and height.
  • The width of a rectangle can be calculated as area divided by length, emphasizing its role in area calculations.
  • Width is often used to measure objects in various fields, including architecture, carpentry, and manufacturing.

Visual Arts

  • In painting and design, width can influence visual balance, making the composition feel stable or dynamic.
  • Artists often consider width when framing their artworks to ensure it complements the pieceโ€™s overall appearance.
  • Width in typography affects readability; wider letters can make text easier to read, while narrow letters may create a different aesthetic.

Engineering

  • Width is a crucial dimension in engineering, affecting the spacing of components in machines and structures.
  • In civil engineering, the width of roads is designed to accommodate various traffic volumes and safety considerations.
  • Materials are often specified with width dimensions to ensure they fit correctly for their intended use.

Everyday Life

  • In furniture design, width is a key measurement for ensuring items fit into spaces like homes or offices.
  • Width can affect packaging; wider boxes may hold more items, impacting shipping costs and space efficiency.
  • Common items, like tables and doors, are often judged by their width as it determines usability in different environments.

Translations

Translations of the word "width" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น largura

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเฅŒเคกเคผเคพเคˆ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Breite

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ lebar

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัˆะธั€ะธะฝะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ szerokoล›ฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅน… (haba)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท largeur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ anchura

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท geniลŸlik

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋„ˆ๋น„ (neobi)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนุฑุถ ('ard)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลกรญล™ka

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ลกรญrka

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฎฝๅบฆ (kuฤndรน)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ลกirina

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ breidd

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะตะฝั–

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒ˜แƒ’แƒแƒœแƒ” (sigane)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ eni

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ anchura

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,417, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.