bulletin board: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “bulletin board” mean?
A board for posting public announcements, notices, and information.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A board for posting public announcements, notices, and information.
A physical or digital space (like an online forum) where messages, news, and information are posted for communal access and discussion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'noticeboard' is the more common term for the physical object. 'Bulletin board' is understood but less frequent. In American English, 'bulletin board' is standard for both physical and digital contexts.
Connotations
In AmE, it has strong institutional/school connotations (classroom bulletin board). In BrE, 'noticeboard' feels more everyday; 'bulletin board' can sound slightly American or technical.
Frequency
High frequency in AmE; medium frequency in BrE, where it is often replaced by 'noticeboard'.
Grammar
How to Use “bulletin board” in a Sentence
[verb] + bulletin board (e.g., check, post on, read, scan)[adjective] + bulletin board (e.g., online, public, central, crowded)bulletin board + [preposition] + [noun] (e.g., bulletin board for announcements, bulletin board in the hallway)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bulletin board” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The notice was bulletin-boarded in the common room.
American English
- She bulletin-boarded the flyer for the bake sale.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a physical board for company announcements or, historically, a digital system for internal communications.
Academic
Commonly a physical board in a school hallway or classroom for notices, student work, and event information.
Everyday
A board in a community centre, supermarket, or library for local ads and events.
Technical
Specifically refers to a 'Bulletin Board System' (BBS), a precursor to modern internet forums.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bulletin board”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bulletin board”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bulletin board”
- Using 'bulletin' alone to mean the board (e.g., 'I put it on the bulletin').
- Confusing 'bulletin board' with 'whiteboard' (for writing) or 'blackboard' (for teaching).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a two-word open compound noun. While sometimes hyphenated ('bulletin-board'), the open form is standard.
Historically, a 'bulletin board' is physical; a 'forum' is a public meeting place for discussion. Now, 'online forum' is common for discussion, while 'bulletin board' or 'message board' can imply a simpler, post-and-read structure, though the terms often overlap.
Yes, but it is informal and rare. It means to post something on a bulletin board (e.g., 'I'll bulletin-board the agenda').
A Bulletin Board System. It was a computer server running software that allowed users to connect via modem, to post messages, download files, and play games. It was a precursor to the World Wide Web.
A board for posting public announcements, notices, and information.
Bulletin board is usually neutral to formal in register.
Bulletin board: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊl.ɪ.tɪn ˌbɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊl.ə.t̬ən ˌbɔːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's on the bulletin board (meaning: publicly announced/information is available).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BULLetin board: a board where you BULL-etin (a little bulletin/notice) is posted.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SHARED SPACE IS A BOARD (for posting ideas/information).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is MOST synonymous with 'bulletin board' in British English for a physical object?