placard
Americannoun
-
a paperboard sign or notice, as one posted in a public place or carried by a demonstrator or picketer.
-
Armor. placate.
verb (used with object)
-
to display placards on or in.
The square was placarded by peace marchers.
-
to publicize, announce, or advertise by means of placards.
-
to post as a placard.
noun
-
a printed or written notice for public display; poster
-
a small plaque or card
verb
-
to post placards on or in
-
to publicize or advertise by placards
-
to display as a placard
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of placard
Explanation
A placard is a sign, especially one that advertises something. You might get a summer job standing on the sidewalk, holding a placard that announces a mattress sale — though it may not be your dream job. A concert poster, a storefront notice, a protest sign carried in a rally — each of these is a type of placard. A placard can be as impermanent as a square of cardboard with a scrawled message, and as official as a permanent plaque marking a historic building. The Old French word plaquier is at the root of placard, and it means "to plaster or to lay flat."
Vocabulary lists containing placard
The Sun Is Also a Star
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Johnny Tremain
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Placard abuse occurs frequently downtown because of the scarcity of parking, said Ald.
From Chicago Tribune • Oct. 26, 2011
The stunt had been done before, in 1785, but getting there was half the fun for Donald Placard, 37, and Paul E. Yost, 39, both of Sioux Falls, S. Dak.
From Time Magazine Archive
![]()
When Mr. Hutson held up Placard 2 the band stopped playing "California, Here I Come" and fell into "Happy Days Are Here Again," Governor Rolph's official tune.
From Time Magazine Archive
![]()
Along toward Placard 15 a talking film of President Hoover urging the Senate to balance the Budget was thrown on the screens.
From Time Magazine Archive
![]()
Placard, plak′�rd, or plā-k�rd′, n. a written or printed paper stuck upon a wall as an advertisement, &c.: a public proclamation: the woodwork and frame of the door of a closet and the like.—v.t.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.