Breite

Breite is a German noun that translates to “width” in English and denotes the measurement of an object or space from one side to the other, perpendicular to its length. In geometry, the Breite of a rectangle, for example, is the distance between its two parallel sides and is one of the fundamental dimensions alongside length (Länge) and height (Höhe). The term is used in technical fields such as engineering, architecture, and cartography, where precise specifications of Breite are essential for design, construction, and spatial analysis.

In everyday language, Breite can refer to the width of everyday items, such as the Breite of a road (Straßenbreite) or the Breite of a piece of furniture. Measurements are usually expressed in metric units, most commonly meters (m) or centimeters (cm). The concept also appears in colloquial expressions; for instance, “auf die Breite gehen” can mean to broaden one’s perspective, while “Breite” may be employed metaphorically to indicate openness or tolerance.

The word originates from Old High German “breiti,” related to the adjective “breit” (wide). Its plural form, “Breiten,” is used when discussing multiple dimensions or comparative widths. In modern German dictionaries, Breite is categorized as a feminine noun (die Breite) and is listed under measurement terminology. The term is also present in specialized contexts such as photography (Bildbreite), printing (Papierbreite), and digital imaging (Bildschirmbreite), where it denotes the horizontal extent of an image or display.