broadsheet
BRAWD-sheet
/ˈbrɔːd.ʃiːt/
A newspaper printed on large sheets of paper, traditionally associated with in-depth news coverage and serious journalism.
Implies formal, intellectual, or comprehensive reporting compared to compact tabloid formats.
The story behind the word. In 1712, the British government levied a tax on newspapers based on the number of pages they printed. To minimize tax costs, publishers printed news on single, massive sheets of paper folded once. These large 'broad sheets' became the standard for serious journalism across Britain and North America.
Word relationships
- quality paper: Quality paper refers to journalistic tone and standard, whereas broadsheet specifically describes physical page dimensions.
- tabloid: A tabloid is a smaller-format newspaper often characterized by concise articles or sensational stories.
Commonly confused with
- periodical: A broadsheet is a daily or weekly large-format newspaper, while a periodical encompasses any regularly published journal or magazine.
Word family
- broadsheets (noun): plural form of broadsheet
Collocations
- broadsheet newspaper
- broadsheet format
- quality broadsheet
- traditional broadsheet
Example sentences
- "Traditional broadsheet newspapers like The New York Times historically featured vertical columns and serious national coverage." Journalism history
- "Several prominent broadsheets transitioned to smaller compact formats to appeal to commuters reading on trains." Industry trends
Memory hook
BROAD SHEET = Broad physical pages, broad serious news. Large-format serious newspaper.
When not to use
Do not use for small compact newspapers or casual sensationalist publications.
Fun facts
- Standard broadsheet pages originally measured 15 by 20 inches or larger, making them famous for being awkward to read in windy weather!
Related words
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