-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001248043-05-000147.txt : 20051117
<SEC-HEADER>0001248043-05-000147.hdr.sgml : 20051117
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051117171659
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001248043-05-000147
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051115
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051117
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051117

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GRZELAKOWSKI MAUREEN E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001217897

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23993
		FILM NUMBER:		051213365

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		408201500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MEDIA ARTS GROUP, INC.
		STREET 2:		900 LIGHTPOST WAY
		CITY:			MORGAN HILL
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95037

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BROADCOM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001054374
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				330480482
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		16215 ALTON PARKWAY
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92618
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9494508700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		16215 ALTON PARKWAY
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92618
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-11-15</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001054374</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BROADCOM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BRCM</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001217897</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GRZELAKOWSKI MAUREEN E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>16215 ALTON PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92618</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Class A common stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>16668</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16668</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>46.07</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-15</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-11-14</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The securities awarded on 11/15/2005 are in the form of restricted stock units that will entitle the Reporting Person to receive one share of Class A common stock per restricted stock unit. The restricted stock units will vest, and the underlying shares will be concurrently issued, in four successive equal annual installments upon the Reporting Person's continuation in Board service measured from February 5, 2006.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The securities were awarded in an exempt transaction pursuant to SEC Rule 16b-3(d).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">All of such shares are in the form of restricted stock units that will entitle the Reporting Person to receive one share of Class A common stock per restricted stock unit.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">All option shares are immediately exercisable but any purchased shares will be subject to repurchase by the Issuer, at the exercise price paid per share, should the Reporting Person cease service prior to the vesting in those shares.  The shares subject to such option vest in a series of four equal annual installments upon the Reporting Person's completion of each year of service on the Issuer's board of directors, measured from the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Maureen E. Grzelakowski</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-11-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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