washboard

noun

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wash·board | \ ˈwȯsh-ˌbȯrd

, ˈwäsh- \

Definition of washboard

1 : a broad thin plank along a gunwale or on the sill of a lower deck port to keep out the sea

2 : baseboard

3a : a corrugated rectangular surface that is used for scrubbing clothes or as a percussion instrument

b : a road or pavement so worn by traffic as to be corrugated transversely

c : an abdominal area characterized by prominent and well-defined musculature —usually used attributively a bodybuilder with washboard absa washboard stomach

Examples of washboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The talented 32-year-old actor (and his washboard abs) overcame the difficult transition from childhood in China to growing up in Canada, only to ditch his career in accounting to pursue his dreams in Hollywood. — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE.com, 8 Sep. 2021 The independent rear suspension keeps the SUV stable on washboard surfaces and in quick maneuvers. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 June 2021 The independent rear suspension keeps the SUV stable on washboard surfaces and in quick maneuvers. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 June 2021 The independent rear suspension keeps the SUV stable on washboard surfaces and in quick maneuvers. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 June 2021 The independent rear suspension keeps the SUV stable on washboard surfaces and in quick maneuvers. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 June 2021 The independent rear suspension keeps the SUV stable on washboard surfaces and in quick maneuvers. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 June 2021 The independent rear suspension keeps the SUV stable on washboard surfaces and in quick maneuvers. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 June 2021 The independent rear suspension keeps the SUV stable on washboard surfaces and in quick maneuvers. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, 5 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'washboard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.