English Reference
adjective · adverb

nationwide

adj. · adv.
US /ˈneɪʃənˈwaɪd/ UK /nˈeɪʃənwˌaɪd/ na·tion·wide

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.happening in every part of a country.

    adj.extending throughout or covering the entire territory of a nation.

    Simple

    The government launched a nationwide campaign to encourage people to recycle more.

    In context

    The company conducted a nationwide search for a new chief executive, interviewing candidates from every major city in the country.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it describes.

    nationalcountry wide
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adv.in every part of a country.

    adv.throughout the whole of a nation.

    Simple

    The new law will be applied nationwide starting next month.

    In context

    Protests erupted nationwide following the announcement of the controversial new tax policy.

    Usage

    Typically placed after the verb or at the end of a clause.

Usage nationwide study

The authority said the process would be halted nationwide with immediate effect as it expressed concern over reports of violence that had "resulted in the theft of marked ballot papers in ballot boxes".

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

It said the freed soldiers had been “held hostage” by al-Qaeda-linked fighters and a ⁠separatist rebel group since nationwide attacks in April .

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

From nation + -wide.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated