tabloid

1 of 2

noun

tab·​loid ˈta-ˌblȯid How to pronounce tabloid (audio)
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

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 noun

Examples of tabloid in a Sentence

Noun She is used to seeing her name in the tabloids.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Getting dumped via text is one thing; getting dumped via the tabloids is another entirely. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The story was made for the tabloids—Temer was seventy-five years old, and his wife, a former beauty queen, was thirty-two. Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
As the Griffin Sisters hit larger stages and their profile swells, Zoe claims Russell and their relationship generates tabloid headlines, but she’s increasingly relegated to a backing role in the group. Caryn Ganz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Announcements about their private life will come from them directly, not unsourced rumor in the tabloid press. Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tabloid

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tabloid was in 1891

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Cite this Entry

“Tabloid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tabloid. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tabloid

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