nationwide English · revision 10263

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=1891}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌneɪ.ʃənˈwaɪd/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a compound of [[nation]] and [[wide]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) also written nation-wide.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Extending over or affecting a whole nation: 1891 in Merriam-Webster,^(MWU 2024) 1895 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) the late 19th century in the SOED.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adverb, throughout a whole nation, is also from the late 19th century in the SOED,^(SOED 2002) although Merriam-Webster gives a second first-known date of 1971.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1891 – the adjective.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1895 – nation-wide.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Extending throughout or available to a whole [[nation]]: ''a nationwide survey''.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Throughout a whole nation.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[nation]]

+ * [[national]]

+ * [[worldwide]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}