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

Richer, more intricate designs dominated the Milan runways across the board. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Quantum stocks rose across the board on the news in premarket trading, but most gave back their gains after the open. — Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Social Security faces trust fund depletion dates projected for the next decade that would trigger across-the-board benefit cuts unless lawmakers act sooner. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

The idea that this could be a school-by-school system raises some red flags; for all its flaws, at least the exam was an across-the-board measure for all students. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 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