aboard

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbȯrd 

1

: alongside

2

a

: on, onto, or within a vehicle (such as a car or ship)

b

: in or into a group, association, or organization

her second promotion since coming aboard

3

baseball : on base

aboard

2 of 2

preposition

: on, onto, within

go aboard ship

aboard a plane

Examples of aboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb or adjective

With this vessel, Lindblad enters the luxury sector in the Galápagos; this is not a rugged expedition ship from the days of yore, but a more yacht-like experience, albeit with more guests aboard. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

While all eight people aboard were rescued and only one person was injured, the outcome could easily have been far worse. — Janet Handal, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

Preposition

The first services took place aboard the Jungle Queen boat before there was a building to meet in. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

The crew aboard the vessel that was reportedly struck in the Strait of Hormuz Monday has abandoned the ship and are currently in a lifeboat, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said in an update early Tuesday local time. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Middle English abord, probably in part borrowed from Middle French a bord, a bort "on board," in part from Middle English a- a- entry 1 + bord "board, side of a ship" — more at board entry 1

Preposition

Middle English abord, derivative of abord aboard entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aboard

• abhorred
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword
• buckboard

Kids Definition

aboard

1 of 2 adverb

ə-ˈbōrd 

-ˈbȯrd

: on, onto, or within a vehicle (as a car, ship, or airplane)

aboard

2 of 2 preposition

: on or into especially as a passenger

go aboard ship