Billboard Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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billboard

[ˈbɪlˌbɔːrd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

advertising

A large outdoor board for displaying advertisements.

Synonyms

advertisement board, hoarding, poster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
billboard

Typically used in American English to refer to large outdoor boards used for advertising.

  • They rented a billboard on the highway to promote their new product.
  • The band's upcoming concert was advertised on a huge billboard downtown.
hoarding

Commonly used in British English to describe large outdoor boards or structures used to display advertisements. It can also carry a negative connotation implying excessive accumulation.

  • The new cell phone model was advertised on a large hoarding near the shopping district.
  • The construction site was surrounded by hoardings filled with ads for various products.
poster

Refers to a single sheet of paper or similar material used for advertising or decoration, often found indoors as well as outdoors.

  • She put a poster of her favorite band on her bedroom wall.
  • There were posters all over the city advertising the upcoming festival.
advertisement board

A more general term that can be used in any context where a board is used specifically for displaying advertisements.

  • The advertisement board outside the mall had a bright and colorful poster for the new movie.
  • Local businesses often place ads on the advertisement board in the community center.

Examples of usage

  • Have you seen the new billboard on the highway?
  • The company decided to invest in a billboard campaign to increase brand awareness.
Context #2 | Noun

music

A list of the most popular songs or albums in a particular week.

Synonyms

chart, hit parade, top 100.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
billboard

Use this word when referring to a large outdoor advertising board used for promoting products, events, or services.

  • The new movie trailer was displayed on a huge billboard in the city center
chart

This word is often used in the context of music rankings or statistical information presented in a graphical format.

  • Her new single quickly climbed to the top of the charts
hit parade

This term is somewhat outdated and is used to refer to a ranking of popular songs, typically ones that are played on the radio.

  • Back in the 1960s, 'hit parade' was a common term used for music rankings
top 100

This phrase refers to a list of the one hundred most popular songs, albums, or other items, often within a specific time frame and genre.

  • His album debuted in the top 100 and quickly gained momentum

Examples of usage

  • The new single quickly climbed to the top of the Billboard chart.
  • She was thrilled to see her album debut on the Billboard 200.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Advertising

  • Billboards can be found in many places around the world, often located in high-traffic areas to capture the attention of passersby.
  • Digital billboards are becoming increasingly common, allowing for changing advertisements and animations, making them more eye-catching.

Cultural Impact

  • In urban areas, billboards can influence trends and public opinion by promoting products, movies, and other cultural phenomena.
  • Some artists have even used billboards as a canvas for art, turning them into public installations that challenge traditional advertising.

Technology

  • Modern technologies allow for targeted advertising, where digital billboards can display different ads depending on the time of day or the demographics of viewers.
  • Advancements like QR codes on billboards let viewers scan the ads for more information instantly, blending physical and digital marketing.

Psychology

  • Research indicates that people can retain visual information from billboards, influencing their purchasing decisions without them being conscious of it.
  • The effectiveness of billboards relies on their ability to convey a message quickly, as drivers often have only seconds to read them.

Origin of 'billboard'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'billboard' originally referred to a board where bills, or posters, were attached for public viewing.
  • It comes from the combination of 'bill', meaning a notice, and 'board', which is a flat piece of wood or surface.

The term 'billboard' originated in the 1840s, referring to a board for posting advertising bills. Over time, it evolved to include large outdoor advertising structures. In the music context, 'billboard' refers to the publication of music charts by the Billboard magazine, which began in the 1940s. The Billboard charts are widely recognized as a standard measure of music popularity.


See also: bill, billable, billing, billow, bills.