bulletin
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈʊlɪtˌɪn/
US
- /ˈbʊlɪtən/
Description
- announcement
- update
- notice
- report
A bulletin is a short, focused message shared with a specific audience to spread important information quickly. Think of it as a compact update: a notice about a class change, a workplace announcement, a weather warning, or a police alert. It can appear on a board, in an email, on a broadcast, or online, and the goal is always practical clarity. So when you encounter one, you should read it closely—it's usually information the audience needs now.
A bulletin is a concise public announcement or update that delivers timely information to a target group. You can think of it as a communication bridge between an authority, organization, or media outlet and people who need to know what is happening. In a school, it may appear as a posted note on a notice board. In the workplace, it can be a short email about policy changes. In news and public safety contexts, it can be a weather update, traffic alert, financial snapshot, or police statement.
Historically, bulletins were tied to official communication, often posted where many people could see them at once. Today they live in many formats—school and company postings, app notifications, TV or radio breaks, and fast-moving online news updates. The term is generally connected to practical, up-to-date information rather than long-form explanation.
The important feature of a bulletin is not just brevity, but direction. It is designed to get useful information out fast: what happened, what changed, and what people should do next. That's why a bulletin is often the preferred format when speed, clarity, and shared awareness matter.
Examples
- 1
School notice
The school sent a bulletin to parents about the new schedule.
- 2
Radio news
We stopped talking to listen to the news bulletin on the radio.
- 3
Weather update
According to the latest weather bulletin, heavy rain will reach the coast tonight.
- 4
Union communication
During the strike, the union posted daily bulletins on its website.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- bulletinnounverb
Forms
- bulletinspluralnounverb