backboard

noun

back·​board ˈbak-ˌbȯrd How to pronounce backboard (audio)
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web His first was from a few feet behind the wing and his second came off an arena-shaking block off the backboard. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 18 Mar. 2023 Indiana had one last chance with .7 left and Trayce Jackson-Davis nearly hit a half-court shot that bounced off the backboard and rim. Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Mar. 2023 Thomas, who averages 10.6 points per game, hit the shot, ran to the other end of the court and smacked his hand on the backboard in celebration before being mobbed by his teammates. Shelby Dermer, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2023 Bryce Hopkins looks like real deal: Bryce Hopkins, the Providence forward who transferred after a year at Kentucky, leads the Friars in scoring (15.7 points per game) and on the backboard with 9.5 rebounds per game. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2023 That 16-second clip, which showed Moore swatting Falcons guard Carter Murphy’s layup attempt off the backboard as time expired, was an apt capper to a night the Spartans won’t soon forget. Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 Mar. 2023 Klay Thompson shook the internet on Sunday night with a long-distance 3-point shot that banked off the backboard. Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2023 Down by two, with 1.4 seconds left, following a few late-game missed free throws on each side (some on purpose), Kevin Love grabbed the rebound and launched a full-court heave that bounced off the backboard as the buzzer sounded. Chris Fedor, cleveland, 8 Nov. 2022 LeBron James threw a lob to himself off the backboard, Jayson Tatum won MVP and Damian Lillard sank eight three-pointers, including the All-Star game-winner — again. Bill Oram, oregonlive, 20 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'backboard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of backboard was in 1761

Dictionary Entries Near backboard

Cite this Entry

“Backboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backboard. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

backboard

noun
back·​board ˈbak-ˌbōrd How to pronounce backboard (audio)
-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 How to pronounce backboard (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on backboard

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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