1
: placed to win if a competitor wins, places, or shows
an across-the-board racing bet
2
: embracing or affecting all classes or categories : blanket
an across-the-board price increase

Examples of across-the-board in a Sentence

an across-the-board reduction in the state's budget because of declining revenues
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As with other nations, Japan faces a combination of across-the-board tariffs and sectoral ones. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025 Still, an across-the-board 10% tariff applies to nearly all imports, except for semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and some other items. Max Zahn, ABC News, 24 June 2025 As a result, Colorado universities are budgeting for potentially sharp declines in their international student enrollment this fall, which could pose a significant financial hit to institutions and lead to across-the-board tuition increases, experts said. Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 22 June 2025 An across-the-board 5 percent tuition increase for out-of-state undergraduate students at all of the state’s universities would generate nearly $24.2 million annually, according to the document presented to the board. Dara Kam, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for across-the-board

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of across-the-board was in 1945

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Across-the-board.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/across-the-board. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on across-the-board

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!