across the board

1 of 2

phrase

: so as to include or affect all classes or categories

cut spending across the board

also : in all areas or respects

considered an average player across the board

across-the-board

2 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈkrȯs-ṯẖə-ˈbȯrd 

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

Synonyms of across the board

Adjective

• general
• overall
• generic
• universal
• common
• broad

Examples of across the board in a Sentence

Adjective

an across-the-board reduction in the state's budget because of declining revenues

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrase

Wines and spirits also had some good news, with houses such as Ardbeg and Chandon contributing to a 5 percent increase in Q2; the spirits sector across the board has seen a few struggles lately, with closing distilleries across the globe. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 July 2026

The average across the board for 2026 is just under $50,000, and just over $56,000 for an all-electric, according to Kelley Blue Book’s new-vehicle data released earlier this month. — Sasha Lekach, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Adjective

The administration turned to a temporary 10% across-the-board tariff on most trading partners, but on Friday those expired. — Christine Romans, NBC news, 25 July 2026

Those across-the-board cuts will happen only if nothing is done. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Phrase

1946, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for across the board

• particleboard
• phonorecord
• underinsured
• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard