Main Entry: ¹board

Pronunciation: \ˈbȯrd\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English bord piece of sawed lumber, border, ship's side, from Old English; akin to Old High German bort ship's side

Date: before 12th century

1 obsolete : border, edge
2 : the side of a ship
3 a : a piece of sawed lumber of little thickness and a length greatly exceeding its width b plural : stage 2a(2) c plural : skis
4 a archaic : table 3a b : a table spread with a meal c : daily meals especially when furnished for pay d : a table at which a council or magistrates sit e (1) : a group of persons having managerial, supervisory, investigatory, or advisory powers <board of directors> <board of examiners> (2) : an examination given by an examining board —often used in plural <pass the medical boards> f : league, association g (1) : the exposed hands of all the players in a stud poker game (2) : an exposed dummy hand in bridge
5 a : a flat usually rectangular piece of material (as wood) designed for a special purpose: as (1) : springboard 1 (2) : surfboard b : backboard 1; also : a rebound in basketball c : a surface, frame, or device for posting notices d : blackboard e : switchboard
6 a : cardboard b : the stiff foundation piece for the side of a book cover
7 : a securities or commodities exchange
8 plural : the low wooden wall enclosing a hockey rink
9 : a sheet of insulating material carrying circuit elements and terminals so that it can be inserted in an electronic apparatus (as a computer)
10 : bulletin board 2

— board·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

— across the board : so as to include or affect all classes or categories <cut spending across the board>; also : in all areas or respects <considered an average player across the board>

— on board 1 : aboard
2 : in support of a particular objective <needed to get more senators on board for the bill to pass>