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

That authenticity across the board, in addition to what the story is amplifying, excites Talwalkar to no end. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 June 2026

This also applies to second-round picks and early third-round picks, where my new valuation is lower across the board before reaching equilibrium in the fourth round. — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 26 June 2026

Adjective

If no changes are enacted by that time, the OASI trust fund depletion may trigger across-the-board benefit cuts. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 23 June 2026

If an across-the-board benefit reduction happens, it would be imposed on the benefits people are receiving at that time. — Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 19 June 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