Definition

Noun: 1. A board or other structure, often placed in a public location, that displays information, advertisements, notices, or directions. Its primary function is to communicate a message visually to people passing by.

Usage

A signboard is a physical object used for public communication. It is typically made of wood, metal, or plastic and can be found along roads, on buildings, or outside businesses. The information on a signboard is usually painted, printed, or applied as individual letters.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The old signboard above the shop was faded and hard to read.
  • They put up a signboard at the entrance to the park listing the rules.
  • The city council removed the illegal advertising signboards from the main street.

Advanced Usage

• "To erect/put up a signboard": To install or place a signboard in position.
  • The new store will put up its signboard next week.
• "A neon signboard": A signboard illuminated by neon lights, commonly used for businesses.
  • The neon signboard of the diner glowed brightly in the night.

Variants and Related Words

• Sign (n): A more general term for any object, mark, or structure that conveys information or instructions (e.g., a road sign, a shop sign). A signboard is a type of sign.
• Billboard (n): A very large outdoor signboard, typically used for advertising.
• Plaque (n): A flat, often decorative plate or signboard, usually made of metal or wood, attached to a wall to commemorate a person or event.

Synonyms

• Noticeboard
• Sign
• Hoarding (primarily British English for a large outdoor advertising structure)

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "The writing is on the wall (signboard)": This is an adaptation of the idiom "the writing is on the wall," which means that there are clear signs that something bad will happen. While not commonly used with "signboard," the concept relates to a clear, visible sign or message.
  • After the third quarterly loss, the writing was on the wall for the company's future.

Noun

1. structure displaying a board on which advertisements can be posted
   • the highway was lined with signboards