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 instrumentb : a road or pavement so worn by traffic as to be corrugated transverselyc : an abdominal area characterized by prominent and well-defined musculature —usually used attributively a bodybuilder with washboard abs a washboard stomach
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Recent Examples of washboard from the Web
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Experimentation and analysis lead the physicists to conclude that the washboard effect is not, in fact, due to the suspension of the vehicles driving over it.
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.
1742
First Known Use of washboard
1742
WASHBOARD Defined for English Language Learners
washboard
playDefinition of washboard for English Language Learners
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: a board with ridges on its surface that was used in the past for washing clothes by rubbing wet clothes against it
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: a group of strong and well-shaped muscles that can be seen on a person's stomach
Learn More about washboard
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See words that rhyme with washboard Spanish Central: Translation of washboard Nglish: Translation of washboard for Spanish speakers
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