abroad

adverb or adjective

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
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.
At 18, players can be signed from abroad, another area in which Newcastle are growing. George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 The administration also looked at data showing Memphis’ murder rates are approximately four times higher than Mexico City and 27 times higher than Havana, suggesting the city is more dangerous than areas abroad with elevated crime rates. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in Europe after a stronger finish in Asia. Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025 While the museum boasts one of the greatest collections of art in the world, the main attraction for many people (including me on my first-ever trip abroad) is the Sistine Chapel, with its massive ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo at the start of the 16th century. Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abroad

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abroad was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abroad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abroad. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

abroad

adverb or adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on abroad

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