onboarding

noun

on·​board·​ing ˈȯn-ˌbȯr-diŋ 

ˈän-

1

: the act or process of orienting and training a new employee

… good onboarding leads to higher employee engagement and greater retention rates.

—Joyce E. A. Russell

2

: the act or process of familiarizing a new customer with one's products or services

Customer onboarding primarily involves answering customers' questions and addressing their concerns so they have a smooth, positive experience with your product or service.

—Aaron Agius

3

: the act or process of converting data to digital form

While many retailers are coming to terms with the need for data onboarding and management, there is still a massive chasm between collecting data and using it to the fullest advantage.

—Larisa Bedgood

onboard

ˈȯn-ˌbȯrd 

ˈän-

transitive verb

onboarded; onboarding

The workflow chart that was pinned to the wall was an excellent orientation for me, as a new employee, and anyone else being onboarded.

—Jill Duffy

It's easy to forget how difficult hiring people is and getting them onboarded and effective in their job.

—Sue Gilbert

Once a customer is onboarded, they can immediately start using the account for remittance payments …

—Richard Gluyas

Examples of onboarding in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Good communication will also help create workflow clarity, improve onboarding, and collaboration across departments. —Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 18 May 2026

Start where small mistakes tend to repeat themselves, whether that is design review, a trade handoff, an inspection checklist, or subcontractor onboarding and insurance verification. —Rick Tollakson, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

New agents complete an eight-week onboarding program. —Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 13 May 2026

After a few rounds of convincing back and forth, a fake offer letter arrives on what looks like professional company letterhead, and shortly after comes the onboarding paperwork. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for onboarding

• according
• affording
• awarding
• keyboarding
• recording
• rewarding
• skateboarding
• snowboarding
• boarding
• cording
• fording
• hoarding