WORLD-WIDE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does world-wide mean? 

• WORLD-WIDE (adjective)
  The adjective WORLD-WIDE has 3 senses:

1. involving the entire earth; not limited or provincial in scope

2. spanning or extending throughout the entire world

3. of worldwide scope or applicability

  Familiarity information: WORLD-WIDE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WORLD-WIDE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Involving the entire earth; not limited or provincial in scope

Synonyms:

global; planetary; world; world-wide; worldwide

Context example:

of worldwide significance

Similar:

international (concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Spanning or extending throughout the entire world

Synonyms:

world-wide; worldwide

Context example:

a worldwide epidemic

Similar:

intercontinental (extending or taking place between or among continents)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Of worldwide scope or applicability

Synonyms:

cosmopolitan; ecumenical; general; oecumenical; universal; world-wide; worldwide

Context example:

universal experience

Similar:

comprehensive (including all or everything)

 Context examples 

One of the largest observing campaigns to date using data from a world-wide array of telescopes, have revealed this frozen, dimly lit world.

(Super-Earth Discovered Around Barnard's Star, ESO)

Sepsis is the number one cause of death in all hospital Intensive Care Units (ICUs) world-wide.

(New study sheds fresh light on the genetic mechanisms involved in sepsis, the leading cause of death in ICUs, University of Granada)

It is always a joy to meet an American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)