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

In retrospect, the terrorists of the analog era—whether Al Qaeda, from abroad, or the Ku Klux Klan, at home—now looked like easy targets. —David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2024

In stock markets abroad, Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 3.6% to cap its best week in more than four years. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024

However, tens of thousands of people move to both states each year from abroad (even after subtracting those who leave for a different country), compensating for the above losses. —Katharina Buchholz, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

Without such assurances, the willingness of individuals and groups to aid the U.S. abroad could diminish, potentially leaving American forces without critical support in future operations. —Ana Martín Gil, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2024

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

Phrases Containing abroad

• from abroad

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