Word
SBS
Phoneticssbs
Definitions
01British military unit
n. Stands for Special Boat Service. This is an elite group of soldiers in the British Royal Marines who are trained for difficult missions at sea.
n. Abbreviation for Special Boat Service. A maritime special forces unit of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy, analogous to the SAS but specialising in amphibious operations.
“He spent five years serving in the SBS before retiring from the military.”
“The SBS conducted a series of covert reconnaissance missions along the coastline to prepare for the main landing force.”
British English · Technical
Usage
Usually preceded by 'the' when referring to the unit.
Teaching tip
In a military context, this almost always refers to the UK unit; learners should not confuse it with the SAS, which is the land-based equivalent.
Synonyms
02Australian broadcaster
n. Stands for Special Broadcasting Service. It is a national television and radio network in Australia that provides news in many languages.
n. Abbreviation for Special Broadcasting Service. A hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting network with a mandate to provide multilingual and multicultural services.
“I watched a great documentary about world history on SBS last night.”
“The SBS charter requires the network to promote diversity and provide programming that reflects Australia's multicultural society.”
American English
Teaching tip
This is a household name in Australia, similar to the BBC in the UK.
Synonyms
03medical condition
n. Stands for Shaken Baby Syndrome. This is a serious brain injury caused by forcefully shaking an infant or toddler.
n. Abbreviation for Shaken Baby Syndrome. A form of non-accidental head injury in infants resulting from violent shaking, often leading to permanent neurological damage.
“The hospital launched a campaign to educate new parents about the dangers of SBS.”
“Medical experts testified that the infant's internal injuries were consistent with a diagnosis of SBS rather than an accidental fall.”
Technical
Usage
Uncountable in a medical context.
Teaching tip
While common in medical and legal discussions, 'Abusive Head Trauma' is increasingly preferred in modern clinical settings.
Synonyms
04environmental health issue
n. Stands for Sick Building Syndrome. This is when people in a building feel ill or uncomfortable for no clear reason, often due to poor air quality.
n. Abbreviation for Sick Building Syndrome. A condition where building occupants experience acute health or comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building.
“After the office ventilation was fixed, the staff no longer suffered from SBS.”
“The investigation into the high rate of employee absenteeism pointed toward SBS caused by inadequate air filtration and chemical off-gassing.”
Technical
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“In Australia, season four will be available to stream on SBS On Demand from 8 October and air on SBS Wednesdays at 9.30pm.” “Vigil is on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK and SBS and SBS on Demand in Australia.”