backboard

noun

back·​board ˈbak-ˌbȯrd 

1

: a board placed at or serving as the back of something

especially : a rounded or rectangular board behind the basket on a basketball court which serves to keep missed shots from going out-of-bounds and from which the ball can be made to rebound into the basket

2

: a stiff board on which an injured person and especially one with neck or spinal injuries is placed and immobilized in order to prevent further injury during transport

Examples of backboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Rebsamen Tennis Center currently has 17 outdoor courts and three outdoor backboards. —Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026

The game went to overtime after Denver guard Jamal Murray’s half-court prayer bounced off the backboard at the buzzer. —Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026

The desparation shot was wide left, never touching the rim or backboard. —Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026

Kawamura tossed the ball off the backboard. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backboard

• abroad
• applaud
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

backboard

noun

back·​board ˈbak-ˌbōrd 

-ˌbȯrd

: a board placed at the back or serving as a back

especially : a rounded or rectangular board behind the basket on a basketball court

Medical Definition

backboard

noun

back·​board -ˌbȯrd 

: a stiff board on which an injured person and especially one with neck or spinal injuries is placed and immobilized in order to prevent further injury during transport