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bulletin

n. · v. · interj.
US //ˈbʊɫɪtən// UK //bˈʊlɪtˌɪn// bul·letin
  1. 1 official news report (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a short, official news report about a recent event.

    a brief public statement or news report issued by an official source, often regarding a matter of urgency.

    Example

    The radio station interrupted the music to play an emergency weather bulletin.

    Example

    The government issued a special bulletin regarding the new trade regulations to ensure all businesses were informed before the deadline.

    Usage

    Often used with 'news', 'weather', or 'special'.

  2. 2 regular publication (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a short magazine or newsletter published regularly by a group or club.

    a periodical publication, such as a newsletter, produced by an organisation for its members.

    Example

    I read about the upcoming bake sale in the church bulletin.

    Example

    The monthly research bulletin provides members with a summary of recent developments in the field of molecular biology.

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  1. 3 to announce officially (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal

    to announce something in an official report.

    to publish or announce information via an official bulletin. Transitive, requiring a direct object.

    Example

    The new safety rules were bulletined to all staff members this morning.

    Example

    The department head bulletined the changes to the curriculum, ensuring that every faculty member received the updated syllabus simultaneously.

  2. 4 sarcastic news flash (interj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Humorous

    you use this to tell someone something that is very obvious, usually to be a bit rude.

    used as a sarcastic or ironic introduction to a fact that the speaker considers obvious. Often used in the phrase 'news bulletin'.

    Example

    News bulletin: if you don't study, you probably won't pass the exam.

    Example

    Bulletin for you: the world doesn't actually revolve around your schedule.

    Teacher's tip

    This is often used with a mocking tone to point out someone's lack of common sense.

    • newsflash
Origin

Borrowed from French bulletin. By surface analysis, bull (“ball”) + -et (“diminutive”) + -in (“diminutive”).

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