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 "wiþe," 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.