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

These words might be music to Indian leader Narendra Modi who has renewed calls for citizens to take one for the team and avoid holding weddings abroad in the interest of culture – and the economy. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 May 2026

Rising Chinese surpluses then fuel protectionist pressure abroad, and the subsequent pushback encourages Beijing to take further steps to increase its self-sufficiency. —Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026

During a family emergency abroad in 2023, Swedish entrepreneur Anders Jakobsson needed fast and easy access to funds, the kind FinTech platforms typically promise. —Amy Guttman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026

Trader Joe's totes have also found fans abroad, with bags listed on international marketplaces such as Coupang, Depop and Karrot. —Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 20 May 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