tabloid

1 of 2

noun

tab·​loid ˈta-ˌblȯid 

1

: a newspaper that is about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper and that contains news in condensed form and much photographic matter

2

: digest, summary

tabloid

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling tabloids

especially : featuring stories of violence, crime, or scandal presented in a sensational manner

tabloid television

2

: compressed or condensed into small scope

tabloid criticism

tabloidism

ˈta-ˌblȯi-ˌdi-zəm 

noun

Examples of tabloid in a Sentence

Noun

She is used to seeing her name in the tabloids.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The piece describes a history of bad behavior and claims against Basabe and his unlikely path from reality TV and tabloids to public office in Florida. —Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025

The Duke of Sussex can be seen walking through LAX carrying a bag, in paparazzi images published in British tabloid The Sun, which said they were taken on Monday morning. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025

Adjective

The Radley team has also created a tabloid-style newspaper with an artfully blurry image of Beka and her Romilly bag on the cover, and an interview inside. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025

In the midst of success, the famous parents have faced ridicule and been at the center of tabloid fodder. —Anna Halkidis, Parents, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from Tabloid, a trademark

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

tabloid

noun

tab·​loid

ˈtab-ˌlȯid

: a newspaper about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper containing short often sensational news stories and many photographs