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

Examples of backboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The arena, which was built to resemble a net with a ball at the center, is also adorned by a smattering of public art created by local artists, like murals, sculptures and digital displays, including a ship comprising basketball hoops and backboards designed by Glenn Kaino. Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Aug. 2024 His last bucket was a Hail Mary 3-pointer from the Seahawks’ free-throw line that banked off the backboard and through the hoop just before the buzzer sounded. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2024 The coach, who sought out to hit two in a row during ESPN’s prerecorded feature, chucked 10 shots toward the basket, six of which hit hard off the backboard and the other four hit nothing. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2024 Different countries have their own requirements, such as the use of non-conductive wooden backboards in the Netherlands. James Morris, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for backboard 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backboard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 15 Oct. 2024.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!