all over the world; throughout the world
Literary or formal expression meaning 'the whole world' or 'everywhere under heaven'. Often used in set phrases like 満天下に知れ渡る (to be known throughout the world).
His fame is known throughout the world.
It is difficult to gain the approval of the whole world.
Compound of 満 (man, 'full') + 天下 (tenka, 'under heaven; the world'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows a classical Chinese pattern for expressing 'the entire world'.