broadside

[ brawd-sahyd ]

/ ˈbrɔdˌsaɪd /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: broadside / broadsides on Thesaurus.com

Definition of broadside

noun

the whole side of a ship above the water line, from the bow to the quarter.

Navy.

all the guns that can be fired from one side of a warship.
a simultaneous discharge of all the guns on one side of a warship.

any strong or comprehensive attack, as by criticism.

Also called broadsheet.

a sheet of paper printed on one or both sides, as for distribution or posting.
any printed advertising circular.

any broad surface or side, as of a house.

Also called broadside ballad . a song, chiefly in 16th- and 17th-century England, written on a topical subject, printed on broadsides, and sung in public, as on a street corner, by a professional balladeer.

adverb

with the side, especially with the broader side, facing toward a given point or object: The truck hit the fence broadside.

in a wide-ranging manner; at random: to attack the president's policies broadside.

verb (used without object), broad·sid·ed, broad·sid·ing.

to proceed or go broadside.

to fire a broadside or broadsides.

verb (used with object), broad·sid·ed, broad·sid·ing.

to collide with or run into the side of (a vehicle, object, person, etc.): We got broadsided on the freeway.

to make concerted verbal attacks on: The president was broadsided by the opposition.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of broadside

First recorded in 1565–75; broad + side¹

Words nearby broadside

Broad River, Broads, broad seal, broadsheet, broad shoulders, have, broadside, broad-spectrum, broadsword, broadtail, broadus, Broadview Heights

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use broadside in a sentence

It’s all a little much for Heffernan, who said she tried to ignore Carlson’s show before the segment on her in February, opting out of the daily discussion that takes place on Twitter about his nightly broadsides.
Tucker Carlson villainizes journalists on his top-rated show. Then the threats pour in.|Jeremy Barr|April 15, 2021|Washington Post
Since the “60 Minutes” segment aired, the governor and CBS News have exchanged further broadsides over everything from video editing to vaccine distribution arrangements in Palm Beach County.
‘60 Minutes’ embraces innuendo in Ron DeSantis story|Erik Wemple|April 9, 2021|Washington Post
In a conference call with reporters Friday, he insisted he will remain in office while delivering a broadside against fellow Democrats, accusing those who demanded his resignation of only being concerned with political expediency.
Cuomo rejects calls to resign from multiple Democrats in N.Y. congressional delegation|Michael Scherer, Colby Itkowitz|March 12, 2021|Washington Post
Animals stage a workers’ coup on a farm, then create a totalitarian state, in this classic broadside against Stalinism.
Washington Post paperback bestsellers||January 26, 2021|Washington Post

Peale even had one of the museum employees distribute the broadside throughout the city while on horseback wearing “feathered dress” and preceded by a trumpeter.
When Science Was the Best Show in America - Issue 93: Forerunners|Lee Alan Dugatkin|November 18, 2020|Nautilus
A broadside advertising them in 1864 emphasized their appeal to “the Democratic Social Circle”—whatever that was.
How a Racist Newspaper Defeated Lincoln in New York in the 1864 Election|Harold Holzer|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I'd already drafted a bitter, bilious, bombastic broadside against the right-wing hacks on the Republican Court.
Paul Begala: Damn You, John Roberts, for Upholding Obamacare|Paul Begala|June 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
That broadside forced Romney to go a step or two further in defense of his plan than he usually prefers to go.
Michael Tomasky on How Rick Santorum Nailed Mitt on Romneycare|Michael Tomasky|January 29, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The government agency backed its broadside against Hope, claiming to have received “indignant protests” over the ad campaign.
Too Sexy for Brazil|Mac Margolis|October 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST
One of the swivel guns was fired, and then came a whole broadside, sending its balls hurtling over the crowded deck of the sloop.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
In a few minutes more, having got into the position he wished, he raked the enemy from stem to stern with a broadside.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
But the privateer wanted prizes more than cannon balls, and went straight on, firing a broadside that did no harm.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
Then came a roaring broadside that went splintering through the British hull, doing more damage than all the Guerriere's fire.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
When he saw this, Bainbridge wore his ship to give her another broadside, and then down came her flag for good.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various

British Dictionary definitions for broadside

broadside

/ (ˈbrɔːdˌsaɪd) /

noun

nautical the entire side of a vessel, from stem to stern and from waterline to rail

navy

all the armament fired from one side of a warship
the simultaneous discharge of such armament

a strong or abusive verbal or written attack

Also called: broadside ballad a ballad or popular song printed on one side of a sheet of paper and sold by hawkers, esp in 16th-century England

any standard size of paper before cutting or foldingdemy broadside

another name for broadsheet (def. 1)

a large flat surfacethe broadside of the barn

adverb

with a broader side facing an object; sidewaysthe train hit the lorry broadside

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

broadside

Definition of broadside

Origin of broadside

Words nearby broadside

Words related to broadside

How to use broadside in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for broadside