widespread
definition
occurring or existing in many places or among many people
example
The widespread use of smartphones has transformed how people communicate and access information.
synonyms
ubiquitousprevalentpervasive
word origin — The word 'widespread' is a combination of 'wide', derived from Old English 'wīd', meaning 'broad, extensive', and 'spread', from the Old English 'sprǣdan', meaning 'to extend, to spread out'.