Statewide

/ˈsteɪtwaɪd/ adjective

Definition

Extending, applying, or happening throughout an entire state rather than just one city or region.

Etymology

A compound of 'state' (from Old English and Latin 'status') and 'wide' (Old English 'wīd' meaning 'broad or extensive'). Formed in American English as states needed words to describe governance across their full territory.

Kelly Says

Words like 'statewide' show how English constantly invents new combinations to describe modern government structures—there's no equivalent in languages that don't have states! It's a perfectly logical compound that didn't need to exist 300 years ago.

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