abroad

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrȯd 

1

: beyond the boundaries of one's country : in or to a foreign country

traveling abroad

hopes to study abroad next year

both at home and abroad

a family that came here from abroad [=from a foreign country] several years ago

2

: over a wide area : widely

wolves venturing abroad in increasing numbers

3

old-fashioned : away from one's home

doesn't go walking abroad at night

4

formal : in wide circulation : about

There are rumors abroad that the company is in trouble.

5

: wide of the mark : astray

Examples of abroad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With fresh capital infusion, Kapital is expected to strengthen its business network, which mainly revolves around the Japanese market, and even venture abroad. —Denni Hu, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025

Per El Pais, sources from Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the consulate in Bangkok was in contact with the family of the victim — who the Daily Mail reported had been studying abroad at Tamkang University. —Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025

And Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul on ISIS efforts to exert influence at home and abroad. —ABC News, 5 Jan. 2025

One reason: Saffron from abroad is far less expensive, because the labor needed to painstakingly harvest each flower and remove its three delicate stigmas by hand is much cheaper than in the United States. —Jane Black, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abrod, abrood, from a- a- entry 1 + brod, brood broad entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

abroad

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbrȯd 

1

: over a wide area

2

: away from one's home

doesn't go abroad at night

3

: in or to foreign countries

travel abroad

4

formal : in wide circulation

rumors were abroad