Boards

/bɔːrdz/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A long, flat, thin piece of wood or other material.

/bɔːrd/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A flat piece of wood

We need more boards to finish the fence.

💡 Simply: A flat piece of wood.

More Examples

2

The artist painted on a canvas board.

How It's Used

Construction

"The carpenter used several boards to build the frame."

Furniture

"The table is made of sturdy oak boards."

2

A group of people with administrative or supervisory duties.

/bɔːrd/

nounneutralIntermediate
General

A committee or group

The school board voted on the new curriculum.

💡 Simply: A group that makes decisions.

More Examples

2

She serves on the advisory board.

How It's Used

Business

"The board of directors met to discuss the company's performance."

Government

"The school board approved the new budget."

Tip:Think of a group sitting around a board table.
3

To provide food and lodging for someone, often in exchange for payment.

/bɔːrd/

verbneutralIntermediate
General

To provide with food and lodging

He boarded with a family while attending college.

💡 Simply: To give food and lodging.

More Examples

2

The hotel boards guests daily.

How It's Used

Hospitality

"The family boards travelers during the summer months."

Tip:Think of boarding a ship – taking care of people.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

on board

Participating or involved in a project or activity.

"We need to get everyone on board with the new plan."

From Old English *bord, meaning "a plank of wood". The word's evolution reflects its enduring association with wood and flat surfaces.

The word 'board' has been used to refer to planks of wood since Old English, and its usage as a committee or group developed later.

Memory tip

Think of a ship's board - a flat surface.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"plank of wood"

board meetingboard gameon boardblackboard

Common misspellings

bordesbords

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written