british broadcasting corporation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, formal when referring to the institution, informal when abbreviated ('the BBC').
Quick answer
What does “british broadcasting corporation” mean?
The United Kingdom's primary public service broadcaster, founded by Royal Charter, funded by a television licence fee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The United Kingdom's primary public service broadcaster, founded by Royal Charter, funded by a television licence fee.
A major global public service broadcasting institution, often representing a certain standard of impartiality and quality in news and programming; a cultural icon of the UK; informally, the organization's output or ethos.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'BBC' is a ubiquitous and deeply integrated part of national life and language. In the US, it is recognized as a specific foreign broadcaster, often associated with high-quality period dramas and international news.
Connotations
UK: Public service, licence fee, 'Auntie', sometimes perceived as having a liberal/establishment bias. US: Accented sophistication, reliable international news, 'Masterpiece Theatre'.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in UK media and everyday discourse. Common in US media discourse when discussing international news sources or British culture.
Grammar
How to Use “british broadcasting corporation” in a Sentence
The BBC + verb (reports, announced, broadcasts)on the BBCfrom the BBCVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “british broadcasting corporation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The interview was BBCed for prime time.
- They'll BBC the ceremony live.
American English
- The footage was BBC-produced.
- The story was BBC-standard.
adverb
British English
- The report was BBC impartially presented.
- They behaved BBC properly.
adjective
British English
- She has a very BBC accent.
- It was a properly BBC investigation.
American English
- The documentary had a BBC feel to it.
- He narrated with BBC gravitas.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussions about media mergers, public funding models, or broadcasting rights.
Academic
Media studies, cultural studies, political science regarding public service broadcasting and soft power.
Everyday
Talking about TV programmes, news sources, or the TV licence. 'Did you see that on the BBC?'
Technical
Broadcast engineering standards (e.g., BBC R&D), editorial policy discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “british broadcasting corporation”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “british broadcasting corporation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “british broadcasting corporation”
- Saying 'the BBC Corporation' (redundant, as 'C' stands for Corporation).
- Using incorrect article: 'He works for BBC' (should be '...for the BBC').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the BBC is an independent public corporation operating under a Royal Charter. It is funded by the public via the licence fee, not directly by the government, and has editorial independence.
It's an affectionate, slightly old-fashioned nickname suggesting a trustworthy, sometimes conservative, and reliable institution, like a family aunt.
Yes, through the BBC World Service (radio/online), BBC.com/news, and the international BBC Studios channel. The full UK TV service (iPlayer) is legally restricted to UK licence fee payers.
Historically, it referred to Received Pronunciation (RP), the accent traditionally used by BBC newsreaders. Today, the BBC uses a much wider variety of UK accents, though the term persists to mean 'standard', 'clear' British English.
The United Kingdom's primary public service broadcaster, founded by Royal Charter, funded by a television licence fee.
British broadcasting corporation is usually neutral, formal when referring to the institution, informal when abbreviated ('the bbc'). in register.
British broadcasting corporation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪt.ɪʃ ˈbrɔːd.kɑː.stɪŋ ˌkɔː.pərˈeɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbrɪt̬.ɪʃ ˈbrɑːd.kæs.tɪŋ ˌkɔːr.pəˈreɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As reliable as the BBC news”
- “It's not exactly BBC quality.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Big Ben Chiming (BBC) – a famous British institution telling the time, just as the BBC tells the news.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN INSTITUTION IS A PERSON (Auntie BBC); QUALITY IS HEIGHT (the gold standard of broadcasting).
Practice
Quiz
What does the 'C' in BBC stand for?