tabloid

1 of 2

noun

tab·​loid ˈta-ˌblȯid 

1

: a newspaper that is about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper and that contains news in condensed form and much photographic matter

2

: digest, summary

tabloid

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling tabloids

especially : featuring stories of violence, crime, or scandal presented in a sensational manner

tabloid television

2

: compressed or condensed into small scope

tabloid criticism

tabloidism

ˈta-ˌblȯi-ˌdi-zəm 

noun

Examples of tabloid in a Sentence

Noun

She is used to seeing her name in the tabloids.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The tabloids went wild, but Beckham’s response was notable for its stoicism. —Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Prince Harry’s high-stakes legal war with the British tabloids intensified this week. —Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Adjective

As an adult, however, Feldman entered a decades-long stint in the tabloid wilderness, working as an actor only intermittently after struggles with addiction and the trauma of alleged abuse as a child in the film industry. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026

The tabloid publisher has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying its journalists relied on legitimate sources for their reporting. —Vivian Kwarm, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from Tabloid, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

tabloid

noun

tab·​loid

ˈtab-ˌlȯid

: a newspaper about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper containing short often sensational news stories and many photographs