tabloid

1 of 2

noun

tab·​loid ˈta-ˌblȯid How to pronounce tabloid (audio)
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

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 noun

Examples of tabloid in a Sentence

Noun She is used to seeing her name in the tabloids.
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.
Noun
Lead investigator Edward French informed the tabloid that the unknown suspect pulled up next to Skilla Baby’s vehicle and fired roughly 25 rounds. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 May 2025 Just make sure not to accidentally watch The Paper (a 1994 movie about a tabloid) or The Paper (a 2008 MTV reality show about a student newspaper) instead. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 May 2025
Adjective
But lingering beneath the surface of his success, Favre had a pattern of inappropriate behavior off the field, including a high-profile tabloid scandal that erupted in 2010, and most recently, the largest case of public fraud in Mississippi’s history. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 In death, Kim has become the subject of even greater tabloid attention. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tabloid

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tabloid was in 1891

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tabloid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tabloid. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tabloid

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!