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

The latest move appears to signal a potential shift after Cuba has allowed limited private enterprise on the island since 2021, though those opportunities have largely excluded Cubans living abroad. —Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026

Moore plays a fashion mogul whose company allegedly lifts designs from Palmer’s character while outsourcing production to factories abroad. —Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026

But Jews regularly study and work abroad in Chinese-speaking environments. —Jackie Hajdenberg, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026

New technologies are changing the way shows are made, storytelling formats are evolving faster than ever, and a new wave of producers is looking abroad for fresh collaborations. —Faye Bradley, Variety, 17 Mar. 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