bulletin

American  

[bool-i-tn, -tin] / ˈbʊl ɪ tn, -tɪn /

noun

1. a brief account or statement, as of news or events, issued for the information of the public.

2. Journalism.

   1. a brief, prominently featured newspaper account, based upon information received just before the edition went to press.

   2. a similar brief account broadcast over radio or television pending further information.

3. a pamphlet or monograph summarizing the past achievements, existing conditions, and future plans of a corporation, educational institution, government agency, etc., especially one cataloging the classes taught at a college or university.

4. an official, special, or scholarly periodical, as of a learned society.

---

verb (used with object)

bulletined, bulletining

1. to make known by a bulletin.

bulletin British  

/ ˈbʊlɪtɪn /

noun

1. an official statement on a matter of public interest, such as the illness of a public figure

2. a broadcast summary of the news

3. a periodical publication of an association, etc

---

verb

1. (tr) to make known by bulletin

Etymology

Origin of bulletin

1645–55; < French, perhaps < Italian bullettino, equivalent to bullett ( a ) ( bulla bull ³ + -etta -ette ) + -ino -ine ²

Explanation

A brief news report or statement that's written or spoken is a bulletin. A TV reporter might read a bulletin announcing the winner of a presidential election, for example. You're most likely to hear a bulletin on the radio or television, usually in the form of a news update. A bulletin can also be a written or emailed report or newsletter that gives you brief information. A bulletin board is a message board that has such bulletins pinned to it. The root of bulletin is the Italian bulletta, "document" or "voting slip."

Example Sentences

I’ve never been sure that I fully vibed with what the Bulletin puts out, though I respect its intentions.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

Army’s Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin suggests that prediction-market data—including sudden or unexpected changes in trading behavior—can serve as a valuable source of information for intelligence agencies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

The research was published in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Bulletin and draws on fossil evidence dating back roughly 150 million years.

From Science Daily • Feb. 1, 2026

La Plagne's official website prompts visitors wanting to ski off-piste, also known as backcountry skiing, to make sure they have read the Avalanche Risk Bulletin and to use an avalanche victim detector.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2026

Andrei had surreptitiously taken a photograph of Bobby at a New Year’s Eve dinner party and sent it to Shakhmatny Bulletin, the Russian chess magazine.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• announcement
• dispatch
• handout
• notice
• publication