washboard

wash·board | \ ˈwȯsh-ˌbȯrd

How to pronounce washboard (audio)

, 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

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 attributivelya bodybuilder with washboard absa washboard stomach

Examples of washboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sounding like the son of John Koerner and Dave Ray, the pride of Duluth sang with side-of-the-mouth folk-blues authenticity and displayed equally expressive guitar, augmented by Mikkel Beckmen’s washboard rhythms. — Staff Reports Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "6 cool things in music this week include Save Our Stages Fest, 45 Lies 2020, Baby Queen, Annie Mack and Charlie Parr," 9 Oct. 2020 The air-spring setup provides a gloriously smooth ride, keeping passengers comfortable over washboard sections of road. — Joey Capparella, Car and Driver, "Tested: 2020 Audi A6 Allroad vs. Beaver Island," 3 Aug. 2020 Moreover, the rear suspension, which is a semi-trailing-arm independent, allows no wheel patter on washboard surfaces. — Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, "Tested: 1981 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Rejuvenates Traditional Luxury," 23 Sep. 2020 But if your primary goal is to be fit and have a strong core, washboard abs don’t have to be on your radar. — Popular Science, "How to get a six-pack (or even an eight-pack)," 4 Sep. 2020 The Jeep's live axles jump and bounce over washboard surfaces far more than those in the Range Rover or the Land Cruiser. — Phil Berg, Car and Driver, "Tested: 1990 Luxury Off-Road SUV Comparison," 2 Sep. 2020 Undulating washboard surfaces can send some quivers through its structure , but the Venture comfortably bombed though sandy washes at 40 mph without bottoming out. — Scott Oldham, Car and Driver, "2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Welcomes the Open Trail," 22 June 2020 And there's some link between Taco, baked beans and a washboard. — Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, "'I quit!': 'Masked Singer' reveal of eliminated contestant Taco shocks panel," 5 Mar. 2020 In Seattle, though, shirtless male baristas with washboard abs and bulging biceps are getting a friendly reception. — Anchorage Daily News, "Bikini baristas were bad for business. So a Seattle coffee kiosk switched to ‘hunky’ shirtless men.," 19 Sep. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

13 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Washboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/washboard. Accessed 20 Oct. 2020.

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