nationwide

1 of 2

adjective

na·​tion·​wide ˌnā-shən-ˈwīd How to pronounce nationwide (audio)
Synonyms of nationwidenext
: extending throughout a nation

nationwide

2 of 2

adverb

: throughout the nation

Examples of nationwide in a Sentence

Adjective The murders attracted nationwide attention.
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.
Adjective
By the way, the original Cinnamon Ancho Tacolate is available year-round at all Salt & Straw shops and via Salt & Straw's website, which offers nationwide shipping. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 Under the partnership, ERI will use its nationwide electronics collection and processing network to identify, secure, and pre-process products containing rare earth magnets and other critical materials for recovery by Cyclic Materials. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Four key principles remain the same The SPJ, which has some 4,000 members nationwide, was founded in 1909. — Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 The products were distributed nationwide, including California, and sold online. — Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nationwide

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1891, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1971, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nationwide was in 1891

Rhymes for nationwide

See All Rhymes for nationwide

Browse Nearby Words

nation-state
nationwide
native
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nationwide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationwide. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

nationwide

adjective
na·​tion·​wide
ˌnā-shən-ˈwīd
: extending throughout a nation
nationwide phone service

More from Merriam-Webster on nationwide

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nationwide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All