broadside

[brawd-sahyd]

noun

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

2. Navy.

   1. all the guns that can be fired from one side of a warship.

   2. a simultaneous discharge of all the guns on one side of a warship.

3. any strong or comprehensive attack, as by criticism.

4. Also called broadsheet. 

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

   2. any printed advertising circular.

5. any broad surface or side, as of a house.

6. 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

1. with the side, especially with the broader side, facing toward a given point or object.

   The truck hit the fence broadside.

2. in a wide-ranging manner; at random.

   to attack the president's policies broadside.

verb (used without object)

broadsided, broadsiding 

1. to proceed or go broadside.

2. to fire a broadside or broadsides.

verb (used with object)

broadsided, broadsiding 

1. to collide with or run into the side of (a vehicle, object, person, etc.).

   We got broadsided on the freeway.

2. to make concerted verbal attacks on.

   The president was broadsided by the opposition.

broadside

/ ˈbrɔːdˌsaɪd /

noun

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

2. navy

   1. all the armament fired from one side of a warship

   2. the simultaneous discharge of such armament

3. a strong or abusive verbal or written attack

4. 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

5. any standard size of paper before cutting or folding

   demy broadside

6. another name for broadsheet

7. a large flat surface

   the broadside of the barn

adverb

1. with a broader side facing an object; sideways

   the train hit the lorry broadside

Word History and Origins

Origin of broadside¹

First recorded in 1565–75; broad + side ¹

Example Sentences

Missing from both is the opening track from “Some Time in New York City,” a powerful feminist broadside that uses a racial epithet in its title.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Then, an armored vehicle known as a BearCat, broadsided the big rig in an attempt to stop it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The latest proposal to end the greenhouse gas reporting program is a “broadside against climate science and policies to protect human health,” said Barrett, of the American Lung Assn.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The filing also alleges that the police treated Cervantes, who is gay and Latina, differently than the white woman driver who ran a stop sign and broadsided her car.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The travel ban on Palestinian officials may be meant as a more limited broadside than a full range of financial sanctions.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• booklet 
• brochure 
• daily 
• journal 
• manual 
• newsletter 
• newspaper 
• pamphlet 
• paper 
• periodical 
• weekly