If one of these tasks is still too broad, you divide it into yet smaller tasks. You continue with this process until the program is compartmentalized into small, easily programmed modules /'mɑdʒul/. [compartmentalize = /ˌkɑmpɑrtˈmɛntlˌaɪz/ verb, to divide something into separate areas or groups]
adjective /brɔd/
1
a road, river, or part of someone’s body etc that is broad is wide OPP narrow → breadth [breadth =/brɛdθ/noun, 1). the distance from one side of something to the other SYN width]
large from one side to the other side. opposite ↑NARROW
having a specified width.
used after a measurement of distance to show how wide sth is.
very wide.
If something is a particular distance broad, it measures this distance from side to side.
wide.
Something that is broad is wide.
We went along a broad passage. [go along = 1). to continue or proceed. 3). to agree to do or accept what other people want ] [passage = /'pæsɪdʒ/ noun, 4). when a new law is discussed and accepted by a parliament or Congress. the process of discussing a bill in a parliament so that it can become law]
He was six feet tall, with broad shoulders.
six feet/three metres etc broad
The room is three metres long and two metres broad.
Register
In everyday English, wide is more common than broad:
· a wide river/street/corridor
· They sell a wide range of bikes.
Broad is often used when describing someone's shoulders.
He has broad shoulders.
a broad stripe.
broad prairies. [prairie = /'prɛri/ noun, a wide open area of fairly flat land in North America which is covered in grass or wheat]
a broad avenue. [avenue = /'ævənu/ noun, used in the names of streets in a town or city]
three metres broad [=wide]
a broad street/avenue/river
broad shoulders
He is tall, broad and muscular. [muscular = /'mʌskjəlɚ/ adjective, having large strong muscles]
two metres broad and one metre high.
We walked down a broad avenue lined with trees.
My brother is very broad-shouldered.
This river is over 500 metres broad at its widest point.
O'Connell Bridge in Dublin is famous for being broader than it is long.
He was of medium height, but had very broad shoulders.
a broad shady path. [shady = /'ʃedi/ adjective, 1). protected from the sun or producing shade]
With a broad sweep of his arm, he indicated the town below us.
a broad expanse (=a wide area): The road passed through a broad expanse of flooded fields.
His shoulders were broad and his waist narrow.
The hills rise green and sheer above the broad river.
a broad expanse of green lawn. [lawn = /lɔn/ noun, an area of ground in a garden or park that is covered with short grass]
2
including many different kinds of things or people OPP narrow → breadth [breadth =/brɛdθ/noun, 2). the quality of including a lot of different people, things, or ideas]
including or involving many things or people : wide in range or amount. opposite ↑NARROW
including a great variety of people or things.
including a wide range of things; general.
including many different things or people.
You use broad to describe something that includes a large number of different things or people. Syn: extensive. Ant: limited.
You use broad to describe a word or meaning which covers or refers to a wide range of different things. Syn: general. Ant: narrow.
You use broad to describe a feeling or opinion that is shared by many people, or by people of many different kinds. Syn: widespread. Ant: limited
The show aims to reach the broadest possible audience.
broad range/spectrum [spectrum = /'spɛktrəm/ noun, 1). a complete range of opinions, people, situations etc, going from one extreme to its opposite. 2). the set of bands of coloured light into which a beam of light separates when it is passed through a prism. 3). a complete range of radio, sound etc waves]
Students here study a broad range of subjects.
broad category/field/area etc
Private pension /'pɛnʃən/ schemes fall into two broad categories.
a party which lacks abroad base of political support
The play is a comedy /'kɑmədi/, in the broadest sense of the word.
The store has a broad selection/variety of coats.
a president with broad [=widespread] appeal
There was broad agreement on the new government.
There are three broad categories of industry in the region: computers, finance, and education.
The conference was attended by a broad spectrum [=a range of many different kinds] of religious leaders.
a broad range of products
a broad spectrum of interests
There is broad support for the government's policies.
She took a broad view of the duties of being a teacher (= she believed her duties included a wide range of things).
a broad and balanced curriculum [curriculum = /kə'rɪkjələm/ noun, the subjects that are taught by a school, college etc, or the things that are studied in a particular subject]
We must ensure the project is of advantage to the broader community and does not just benefit a few individuals.
The politician gave a broad outline of his proposals.
The magazine covers a broad range of subjects, from sewing to psychology.
a broad range/spectrum
I meet a broad range of people in my job.
Our radio station plays a broad spectrum of popular music.
a broad base
The party is now struggling to maintain a broad political base.
broad appeal
The new TV show has broad appeal.
broad categories
Tropical diseases fall into two broad categories.
A broad range of issues was discussed.
a broad coalition of workers, peasants, students and middle class professionals. [coalition = /ˌkoə'lɪʃən/ noun, 1). a union of two or more political parties that allows them to form a government or fight an election together. 2). a group of people who join together to achieve a particular purpose, usually a political one. 3). a process in which two or more political parties or groups join together] [peasant = /'pɛznt/ noun, 1). a poor farmer who owns or rents a small amount of land, either in past times or in poor countries. 2). an insulting word for someone who does not behave politely in social situations or is not well educated]
The term Wissenschaft has a much broader meaning than the English word `science'.
restructuring in the broad sense of the word.
The agreement won broad support in the US Congress.
a film with broad appeal.
3
concerning the main ideas or parts of something rather than all the details.
relating to the main parts of something : ↑GENERAL
general; not detailed.
expressed in a general way, without many details.
if there is broad agreement about something, most people agree about it in a general way, even if they do not agree on all its details.
A broad description or idea is general rather than detailed. Syn: rough. Ant: precise.
The client should understand,in broad terms, the likely cost of the case.
broad consensus/agreement etc [consensus = /kən'sɛnsəs/ noun, an opinion that everyone in a group agrees with or accepts SYN agreement]
The members were in broad agreement.
broad outline/framework
I’ll give you a broad outline of the plan.
the broad outlines of a problem.
discusses “family” in its broadest sense.
the broad outline of a proposal
The negotiators were in broad agreement on the main issues.
She's a feminist /'fɛmənɪst/, in the broadest sense of the word.
In broad terms, the paper argues that each country should develop its own policy.
Computer viruses fall into three broad categories.
We need to define a broad strategy for future development.
broad aims
We support the broad aims which underlie this Bill.
a broad outline
This chapter can only give a broad outline of the subject.
in the broadest sense
It’s conservative, in the broadest sense of the word.
a broad generalization
You make too many broad generalizations about people.
There is now a broad consensus that the government was right about this. [consensus = /kən'sɛnsəs/ noun, an opinion that everyone in a group agrees with or accepts SYN agreement consensus on/about]
These documents provided a broad outline of the Society's development.
In broad terms, this means that the closer you live to a school, the more likely it is that your child will get a place there.
4
covering a large area.
covering a wide area.
a broad expanse of water [expanse = /ɪk'spæns/ noun, a very large area of water, sky, land etc]
a broad expanse of water
the broad plains of the American West [plain = /plen/ noun, (also plains) a large area of flat dry land → prairie ] [prairie = /'prɛri/ noun, a wide open area of fairly flat land in North America which is covered in grass or wheat]
5
a broad accent clearly shows where you come from SYN strong.
if sb has a broad accent, you can hear very easily which area they come from. SYN strong.
If someone has a broad accent (= way of speaking), it is strong and noticeable, showing where they come from.
a broad accent (=way of speaking) is very noticeable and typical of the area you come from, and may be difficult to understand.
A broad accent is strong and noticeable.
a broad Scottish accent
a broad Yorkshire /ˈjɔrkʃɪr/ accent
He spoke with a broad Australian accent.
a broad northern accent.
a Briton who spoke in a broad Yorkshire accent.
6
broad smile/grin [grin = /ɡrɪn/ verb to smile widely. noun, a wide smile]
a big smile.
a broad smile is very wide, showing that a person is very happy.
A broad smile is one in which your mouth is stretched very wide because you are very pleased or amused.
Abby came in with a broad smile on her face.
a broad smile/grin(= one in which your mouth is stretched very wide because you are very pleased or amused)
He flashed a broad grin at us.
He greeted them with a wave and a broad smile.
7
in broad daylight
if something, especially a crime, happens in broad daylight, it happens in the daytime and in public.
during the day when people and things can be easily seen rather than at night.
(in) the clear light of day, when it is easy to see.
If a crime is committed in broad daylight, it happens during the day, when it could have been seen and prevented.
used for saying that a shocking or criminal event happens during the day, when it can easily be seen.
used for saying that a shocking or criminal event happens during the day, when it can easily be seen.
If you say that a crime is committed in broad daylight, you are expressing your surprise that it is done during the day when people can see it, rather than at night.
The attack happened in broad daylight, in one of the busiest parts of town.
The crime was committed in broad daylight.
The robbery occurred in broad daylight, in a crowded street.
Thieves had broken into the car in broad daylight and stolen the stereo.
They robbed the bank in broad daylight.
A girl was attacked on a train in broad daylight.
The recent murder happened in broad daylight in a supposedly `safe' part of London.
8
broad hint
a hint (=suggestion) that is very clear and easy to understand
easily seen or noticed.
if sb gives a broad hint, they make it very clear what they are thinking or what they want.
a hint (= when you tell someone something without saying it directly) that is easy to understand.
a broad hint is an instance in which you let someone know something in an obvious way without telling them directly.
A broad hint is a very obvious hint. Ant: subtle
In June he gave a broad hint that he might retire.
She gave him a broad [=obvious] hint.
He speaks with a broad Midwestern accent.
They've been giving broad hints about what to expect.
9
a broad church (British English)
an organization that contains a wide range of opinions
(BrE) an organization that accepts a wide range of opinions. SYN big tent. [big tent = a group or philosophy that accepts and includes individuals and organizations that have a wide variety of opinions or styles. SYN broad church. ▶The movement soon became a big tent under which many campaign groups gathered.]
The Labour Party has to be a broad church.
10
broad humour
broad humour is rather rude or concerned with sex.
dealing with sex in an amusing way.
The movie mixes broad humor with romance.
11
broad in the beam informal
having large or fat hips.
having wide hips and a large bottom
Her mother was fairly broad in the beam.
12
it's as broad as it is long
(BrE, informal) it makes no real difference which of two possible choices you make.
used for saying that you cannot choose between two things or actions because they are equal
13
paint sth with a broad brush
to describe sth in a general way, ignoring the details
broadly ADV /'brɔdli/
He smiled broadly [=with a big smile] as he greeted us.
The book is broadly [=generally] concerned with the oil industry.
She broadly [=obviously] hinted that she wouldn't be coming back.
a broadly based [=broad-based] political movement.
Charles grinned broadly.
This gives children a more broadly based education.
We define education very broadly and students can study any aspect of its consequences for society.
The new law has been broadly welcomed by road safety organisations.
There are, broadly speaking, three ways in which this is done.
Broadly, it makes connections between ideas about healing and how they link to plants.
He hinted broadly that he would like to come.
noun /brɔd/
an offensive word for a woman (American English spoken not polite)
(old-fashioned, NAmE, slang) an offensive way of referring to a woman. [slang = /slæŋ/ noun, very informal, sometimes offensive language that is used especially by people who belong to a particular group, such as young people or criminals]
(US offensive) a woman.
an insulting word for a woman.
Some men refer to women as broads. This use could cause offence.[AM, INFORMAL]
a classy broad