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 stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in Europe amid mostly modest movements. —Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026

The mom was born in the United States but studied abroad and received her master’s degree in Ukraine, making new friends and reconnecting with relatives during that time. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

The Times noted its substantial subscriber base there has contributed significantly to its growth abroad. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 24 Feb. 2026

Americans traveling abroad who need assistance can call [phone] from outside the United States or dial [phone] from the United States or Canada. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 Feb. 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