The word "widespread" refers to something that is distributed or occurs over a large area or among many people. It signifies that whatever is being described is not limited to a specific location or is not confined to a small group; instead, it is common, extensive, or prevalent in a wide range.
The term "widespread" is formed by combining the word "wide," which originates from the Old English word "wiĆ¾e," meaning "broad" or "spacious," and "spread," which comes from the Old English "sperdan," meaning "to spread out." The combination reflects the idea of something being spread out over a broad area.