billboard
UK: ˈbɪlbɔːd | US: ˈbɪlbɔːrd
n. a large outdoor board for displaying advertisements
n. a flat surface or structure used for public notices or announcements
The word "billboard" combines "bill" (from Middle English bille, meaning a written notice or list) and "board" (from Old English bord, meaning a flat plank or surface). Originally, "bill" referred to official documents or advertisements, while "board" denoted a physical surface for display. By the 19th century, the compound "billboard" emerged to describe large outdoor structures for posting advertisements, reflecting the practical function of combining written notices with a visible platform.
The new movie was advertised on a massive billboard in Times Square.
Local businesses often rent space on billboards to attract customers.
The city council voted to regulate the size of roadside billboards.
A faded billboard stood near the highway, promoting a decades-old product.
Artists sometimes use billboards as canvases for public art projects.