# countrywide

/ˈkəntɹiˌwaɪd/ (US) · /kˈʌntɹɪwˌaɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/countrywide
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

happening or existing in every part of a country. You use this to describe something that covers the whole nation, like a law or a problem.

For teachers: extending throughout or affecting the entire territory of a nation. Typically used attributively to modify nouns related to distribution, policy, or infrastructure.

## Examples

- The government is building a countrywide network of high-speed trains.
- The new law will be enforced countrywide starting next month to ensure consistency across all states.
- The sudden drop in temperatures led to a countrywide shortage of heating oil, forcing the government to implement emergency rationing measures in the northern provinces.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.