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.
The eugenics movement raged in America and abroad, and bodies deemed as ‘freaks’ could be subject to investigation, sterilization, or institutionalization. JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025 Using multiple languages is a big strength — meeting LUNÉ abroad or communicating online. Billboard Korea, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025 The Guardian also reported that in 2001, Andrew was appointed as the government’s trade representative, a role that required him to travel abroad and help secure business for British companies. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025 Eli Roth's follow-up to his breakthrough feature Cabin Fever (2002) starts off as a satire of some of the ugliest Americans ever to travel abroad, following the exploits of a group of hedonistic frat-boy types partying their way across Europe. Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 29 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 30 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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