clapboard

noun

clap·​board ˈkla-bərd  ˈkla(p)-ˌbȯrd 

1

archaic : a size of board for making staves and wainscoting

2

: a narrow board usually thicker at one edge than the other used for siding

3

ˈklap-ˌbȯrd  : a slate with information identifying a piece of film that is topped with a hinged arm which claps down to mark the start of a take (see take entry 2 sense 2a(1)) to facilitate editing

called also clapper board

clapboard transitive verb

Examples of clapboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once in its new location, the building’s original clapboard, or a replica of the clapboard, will take the place of the green siding. —Jake Allen, IndyStar, 3 Mar. 2026

The arts center is located less than a mile away from their sprawling, white Dutch clapboard colonial home on Old House Lane and sits in the old Reader’s Digest campus, which has now been redeveloped as a retail-office-residential complex. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026

Southern architectural details in the rooms integrate elements from Old Florida clapboard cottages, like deep porch-like balconies, and a board-and-batten cottage look. —Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026

Outside, clapboard siding, a traditional exterior for New England homes, will be used. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of Dutch klaphout stave wood

First Known Use

circa 1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clapboard

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

Kids Definition

clapboard

noun

clap·​board ˈklab-ərd  ˈkla(p)-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

: a narrow board thicker at one edge than at the other used to cover the sides of wooden buildings

clapboard verb