To broaden means to make something wider or more extensive. When a river broadens, it spreads out and becomes wider as it flows. When you broaden your shoulders by standing up straight, you make them look wider and stronger.

The word often describes expanding knowledge, experience, or understanding. When you read books about different countries and cultures, you broaden your horizons: you learn about new ways of living and thinking that you never knew existed. A student might broaden their skills by learning to play a new instrument in addition to the one they already know. Travel broadens people's perspectives by showing them how others live.

You can also broaden a discussion by including more viewpoints, or broaden a search by looking in more places. When a teacher says an assignment will broaden your mind, she means it will help you think about things in new ways and understand ideas you haven't encountered before.

The opposite is narrow, which means to make something thinner or more limited. While narrowing focuses your attention on specific details, broadening opens up possibilities and helps you see the bigger picture.