abroad

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrȯd 

1

: beyond the boundaries of one's country : in or to a foreign country

traveling abroad

hopes to study abroad next year

both at home and abroad

a family that came here from abroad [=from a foreign country] several years ago

2

: over a wide area : widely

wolves venturing abroad in increasing numbers

3

old-fashioned : away from one's home

doesn't go walking abroad at night

4

formal : in wide circulation : about

There are rumors abroad that the company is in trouble.

5

: wide of the mark : astray

Examples of abroad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reporting from Tel Aviv Shlomit Ofir is one of the many Israelis flying in from abroad to cast their votes in today’s election. — Yarden Segev, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026

Villanova has long sent students to Italy and the Vatican for internships and study abroad programs, but those opportunities are growing. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

With a consequential election in Israel Tuesday, tens of thousands of Israelis living abroad have flown in just to cast their ballots. — Matt Gutman, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Israel does not allow most citizens to vote absentee from abroad, so many were expected to fly in, including thousands living in the United States. — Lia Lapidot Aaron Boxerman and Lia Lapidot, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abrod, abrood, from a- a- entry 1 + brod, brood broad entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for abroad

• applaud
• backboard
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

abroad

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrȯd 

1

: over a wide area

2

: away from one's home

doesn't go abroad at night

3

: in or to foreign countries

travel abroad

4

formal : in wide circulation

rumors were abroad