bulletin board

[ bool-i-tn bawrd, -tin ]

noun

1. a board for the posting of bulletins, notices, announcements, etc.
2. Also called bulletin board system. Digital Technology. : BBS message board.
   1. an online collection of electronic messages, posted by and accessible to any authorized user.
   2. a system, facility, or computer server for collecting and relaying these messages.

bulletin board

noun

1. a board on which notices, advertisements, bulletins, etc, are displayed Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)notice board
2. computing a facility on a computer network allowing any user to leave messages that can be read by any other user, and to download software and information to the user's own computer

bulletin board

/ bl′ĭ-tn /

1. An electronic communication system that allows users to send or read electronic messages, files, and other data that are of general interest and addressed to no particular person. Bulletin boards were widely used before the Internet became popular, and many of their functions are now served by websites and newsgroups for specific topics or groups.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bulletin board¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Idioms and Phrases

Also, electronic bulletin board . A computer service that provides facilities for people to leave messages by phone or telecomputing. For example, The National Writers Union has a bulletin board through which members communicate via their modems . Both the device and the term, alluding to the older board for posting notices, date from the late 1970s.

Example Sentences

This wasn’t exactly bulletin board material in the traditional sense.

From Los Angeles Times

Look for flyers anywhere from a church bulletin board to a farmers’ market.

From Seattle Times

It’s tremendous bulletin board material for the opposition.

From Los Angeles Times

The bulletin board was covered with brightly colored leaves.

From Literature

On a bulletin board, Fry has created a small shrine with photographs of Meryl.

From Seattle Times