dashboard

noun

dash·​board ˈdash-ˌbȯrd 

plural dashboards

1

: a panel extending across the interior of a vehicle (such as an automobile) below the windshield and usually containing instruments and controls

If something internal is wrong with your car, the dashboard will display an icon identifying the problem.

—Aaron Widmar

Abdullah sang along to the songs; I kept the rhythm by clapping my hands and drumming on the dashboard.

—Emma Sky

2

: a graphical report (as on a website) of various data relevant to a particular business, group, etc.

… other dashboards that are available for first-year applicants include information on admission by source school …

—Daily Californian

The dashboard provides data on regional, local and campus trends regarding COVID-19 testing, results and cases. The dashboard is updated each weekday with data from several different sources, including the campus testing program and self-reports by students and faculty.

—Alex Perry

Emory Police Department (EPD) will implement a dashboard of the department's data, including the status and findings of investigations and the demographics of those involved …

—Ninad Kulkarni

The RTA [Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois] uses maps and dashboards to visualize revenue, ridership, and service availability at a regional scale.

—Terry Bills

3

: a screen on the front of a usually horse-drawn vehicle to intercept water, mud, or snow

Examples of dashboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 2026 model features the new Lincoln Digital Experience, which integrates Google apps, voice commands, and real time maps into a high tech dashboard. —Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026

An online dashboard tool unveiled last year by state public health officials allows users to look up measles vaccination rates and outbreak risk data for individual schools across the state. —Laura Turbay, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

On average, out of the projects completed since 2022 that the city of Milwaukee has data for, there was a 15% decline in crashes and a 32% decline in speeding, according to the dashboard. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 13 Mar. 2026

How screens took over dashboards The screen revolution started before the rearview camera mandate, with luxury automakers showcasing the latest technologies, but the trend accelerated as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2018 deadline loomed. —Chris Teague, AJC.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing dashboard

• dashboard camera

Rhymes for dashboard

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

Kids Definition

dashboard

noun

dash·​board ˈdash-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

1

: a screen on the front of a usually horse-pulled vehicle to keep out water, mud, or snow

2

: a panel across an automobile or airplane below the windshield usually containing dials and controls