English Reference

Word

CBS

Phoneticscbs

/ˌsiˌbiˈɛs/

Definitions

01TV/radio network

B2

n. Stands for Columbia Broadcasting System. This is a famous American TV channel known for news, sports, and popular shows.

n. Abbreviation for Columbia Broadcasting System. A primary American commercial broadcast network; the term functions as a proper noun for the media entity.

“We watched the evening news on CBS to see the latest election results.”

“The documentary was produced by CBS and aired during prime time to reach a national audience across the United States.”

American English

Usage

Always capitalized; usually functions as a proper noun without an article.

Teaching tip

Learners should recognize this as a major US media brand, similar to the BBC in the UK.

02school type

C1 · Education

n. Stands for Christian Brothers School. It is a type of Catholic school found in several countries like Ireland and the UK.

n. Abbreviation for Christian Brothers School. A common designation for educational institutions founded or managed by the Congregation of Christian Brothers.

“He attended the local CBS for his secondary education.”

“The CBS in the town centre has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence and strong community involvement.”

British English · Dialect

Usage

Common in Ireland and parts of the UK; often used with the definite article 'the'.

Teaching tip

This sense is highly regional. Outside of Ireland or specific UK contexts, people will assume you mean the American TV network.

Real-World Examples

“Jefferson Kelly, whose son Jackson is on the Lincoln, told CBS that he has grown concerned for his son after nearly nine months at sea.”
BBC News · 14 Aug 2026
“Her series Love Is a Many Splendored Thing , which premiered in 1967, included an interracial romance that riled the censors at CBS, prompting Phillips to leave the show.”
Smithsonian Magazine · 16 Jun 2026
“Former NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt told CBS News the report showed "this was not a problem with the airplane or the engines.”
BBC News · 10 Jun 2026

Domain

Education

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Common
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/cbs

English Reference