tabloid

1 of 2

noun

tab·​loid ˈta-ˌblȯid 

1

: a newspaper that is about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper and that contains news in condensed form and much photographic matter

2

: digest, summary

tabloid

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling tabloids

especially : featuring stories of violence, crime, or scandal presented in a sensational manner

tabloid television

2

: compressed or condensed into small scope

tabloid criticism

tabloidism

ˈta-ˌblȯi-ˌdi-zəm 

noun

Examples of tabloid in a Sentence

Noun

She is used to seeing her name in the tabloids.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Though this rendezvous occurred before the pair were spotted together in Rome, tabloids did not report the outing until afterwards. —Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026

Starkie first met Ferguson, 66, through his friend and business partner John Bryan, whose relationship with her dominated the tabloids. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Adjective

On the reality docusoap front, Hulu has a new season of Love Thy Nader, starring tabloid fixture and Baywatch star Brooks Nader, coming in the winter, and a new show exec produced by Khloé Kardashian that stars her inner circle. —Peter White, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

About 10 names have been widely circulated in tabloid and other news reports. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from Tabloid, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

tabloid

noun

tab·​loid

ˈtab-ˌlȯid

: a newspaper about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper containing short often sensational news stories and many photographs