billboard

¹

[bil-bawrd, -bohrd]

noun

1. a flat surface or board, usually outdoors, on which large advertisements or notices are posted.

verb (used with object)

1. to place, advertise, proclaim, etc., on or as if on a billboard.

   The movie was billboarded as the year's biggest hit.

billboard

²

[bil-bawrd, -bohrd]

noun

Nautical.

1. anchor bed.

billboard

¹

/ ˈbɪlˌbɔːd /

noun

1. another name for hoarding

billboard

²

/ ˈbɪlˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a fitting at the bow of a vessel for securing an anchor

Word History and Origins

Origin of billboard¹

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; bill ¹ + board

Origin of billboard²

First recorded in 1855–60; bill ³ + board

Word History and Origins

Origin of billboard¹

C19: from _bill ¹ + _board

Origin of billboard²

C19: from _bill ² + _board

Example Sentences

But in other areas, graffiti covers abandoned buildings, weeds choke vacant lots and billboards advertise fentanyl-treatment programs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Shortly after, a billboard appeared in New York City’s Times Square at 1500 Broadway, between 43rd and 44th, reading: “For Adam. No one’s ever really gone. Hope lives. Ben is alive! #THBS.”

Read more on Salon

The pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party plans to begin its campaign by unveiling election billboards in the capital Naypyidaw, while party adverts will air on state media in the evening.

Read more on Barron's

Digital advertising billboards in the Thai capital are displaying towering black tributes to the royal matriarch, while citizens have been asked to wear dark tones and curtail celebratory public events.

Read more on Barron's

In March, the country put up ads on digital billboards in 12 U.S. states that read, “Tariffs are a tax on hardworking Americans.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• advertisement 
• placard 
• poster 
• signboard