sounding board

noun

1

a

: a structure behind or over a pulpit, rostrum, or platform to give distinctness and sonority to sound

b

: a device or agency that helps propagate opinions or utterances

c

: a person or group on whom one tries out an idea or opinion as a means of evaluating it

2

: soundboard sense 1

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The Literal Origins of Sounding Board

Beginning during the Renaissance, a flat wooden canopy called a sounding board was placed over church pulpits, amplifying the sound of the preacher's voice, carrying it to the farthest reaches of the church. Similarly, ideas can be spread by a figurative sounding board. A publication, for example, can be a sounding board for propaganda. That's one modern sense of the word. But when sound bounces off a literal sounding board, not only does it reach more people, it also comes across more clearly. Likewise, bouncing ideas off another person can lend clarity to one's thought processes. If someone comes to you and says "How does this sound?" and leaves with his or her mind made up (whether or not you've ventured a word), you have served as a very effective sounding board.

Examples of sounding board in a Sentence

My friend is my sounding board for new ideas.

Recent Examples on the Web

Stylist Cary Robinson—her sounding board for all things chic, who also happens to be her mom—nodded in agreement. —Freya Drohan, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024

And in that time since, the actor says his father, 54, has been a sounding board for him, offering advice as needed on various roles or how to act on set. —Stacy Lambe, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024

Lupe is a gifted comedian, yet Morgan remains little more than Joanne’s quippy sounding board. —Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Sep. 2024

As Harris and her team have been putting together the policy plan, Deese has been a key advisor and sounding board for Harris, said the people, who were granted anonymity in order to discuss internal campaign operations. —Brian Schwartz,rebecca Picciotto, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

sounding board

noun

1

: a structure behind or over a speaker's platform to make sound uttered from it clear

2

: a means for helping to spread opinions

3

: a person or group on whom new ideas or opinions are tested