billboard

¹ American  

[bil-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈbɪlˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

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

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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 American  

[bil-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈbɪlˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

Nautical.

1. anchor bed.

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billboard ¹ British  

/ ˈbɪlˌbɔːd /

noun

1. another name for hoarding

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billboard ² British  

/ ˈbɪlˌbɔːd /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of billboard¹

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

Origin of billboard²

First recorded in 1855–60; bill ³ + board

Explanation

A billboard is a giant roadside sign. You might pass several billboards on the highway advertising a car dealership, a restaurant, or anything else someone paid to have on a billboard big enough to be seen by passing cars. When a company decides how to advertise, it may buy Internet ads, TV commercials, newspaper spreads, or billboard advertisements. A billboard is a good way for a business to catch people's attention, because it’s so big and a commuter may drive or walk past it five times a week. The word billboard first appeared in American English in the 1840s, meaning the board or wall where posters or handbills could be pasted. Billboard is also the name of a music magazine.

Example Sentences

The late-June Hollywood Reporter headline that reads, “Louis C.K., Stephen A. Smith to Honor Bill Maher at Kennedy Center Event” isn’t merely a sign of our times; it’s a billboard.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

She added just before Morgan took over, Maddy became a poster girl for the club, as the Blades erected a "massive" billboard of her, which "she loved".

From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026

That brought us out from the out-of-home billboard space into real life—events and experiences.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

The Broad’s latest Yoko Ono exhibition features iconic works from the artist alongside a timely citywide billboard campaign promoting peace.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

Then he broke open a billboard grin and called out, “Hey, everybody! ’

From "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• advertisement
• placard
• poster
• signboard