across the board

1 of 2

phrase

: so as to include or affect all classes or categories

cut spending across the board

also : in all areas or respects

considered an average player across the board

across-the-board

2 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈkrȯs-ṯẖə-ˈbȯrd 

1

: placed to win if a competitor wins, places, or shows

an across-the-board racing bet

2

: embracing or affecting all classes or categories : blanket

an across-the-board price increase

Synonyms of across the board

Adjective

• general
• overall
• generic
• universal
• common
• broad

Examples of across the board in a Sentence

Adjective

an across-the-board reduction in the state's budget because of declining revenues

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

The major averages were down across the board at that same time. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Their completion will engender an improvement in takings across the board; Barca expect Espai Barca, the overarching project which takes in the Camp Nou extension and improvement, will generate an additional €250m in annual revenues once finished. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Scott’s performance has received across-the-board raves, but even more so than The Debut, the film itself has both fans and detractors. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

After that point, the law requires an automatic, across-the-board benefit cut because the trust fund can no longer make up the gap between what workers pay in and what retirees are owed. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1946, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for across the board

• particleboard
• phonorecord
• underinsured
• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard