onboarding

noun

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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The expectation is driving simpler pricing structures, easier onboarding and more intuitive self-service experiences. — David Kim, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 In March, Paramount revealed James Wan’s onboarding to direct a reimagining of South Korean crime actioner The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil for the studio. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 Look for platforms that offer human agents, fast response times and intuitive onboarding and training resources. — Dana Miranda, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 And so the experience can act as its own onboarding, with every sequence building toward the next one to slowly immerse — no pun intended —you in the sort of intergalactic confessional booth that is this show. — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onboarding

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of onboarding was in 1988

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Cite this Entry

“Onboarding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onboarding. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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