broadsheet
UK[ˈbrɔːd.ʃiːt]US[ˈbrɑːd.ʃiːt]
n
A newspaper printed on large sheets of paper, typically considered more serious than smaller tabloid newspapers.
n
A large sheet of paper printed on one side only, such as a poster or announcement.
Morpheme Breakdown
broad
sheet
broad
wide
sheet
flat piece
Etymology
The word 'broadsheet' is a transparent compound formed from two native English elements. 'Broad', with Proto-Germanic origins meaning 'wide', combines with 'sheet', which evolved from a Germanic root for a corner or piece of cloth, later specifying a flat expanse of material like paper. The term originally described any large-format piece of paper used for proclamations or ballads. By the early 20th century, as newspapers diversified in size and style, 'broadsheet' became the standard term for the larger, more traditional format, contrasting with the smaller, more sensationalist 'tabloid', thus linking the physical characteristic of width directly to a genre of journalism.
Analysis
Structure: broad (wide) + sheet (flat piece)
- broad: From Old English 'brād' (broad, wide, extensive). An adjective describing width or extent.
- sheet: From Old English 'scēte', 'scīete' (a piece of linen, a piece of cloth), related to Old English 'scēat' (corner, region). A noun denoting a flat, thin piece of material.
Examples
The Times is a respected British broadsheet newspaper.
The announcement was printed on a single broadsheet and posted around the town.
Many traditional broadsheets have introduced compact editions to attract more readers.