plural washboards
1
: a board with ridges on its surface that was used in the past for washing clothes by rubbing wet clothes against it
Note: Washboards are also sometimes used as musical instruments in some types of folk and country music.
2
US, informal
: a group of strong and well-shaped muscles that can be seen on a person's stomach
—usually used before another noun
a washboard stomach
washboard abs
Cite this Entry
“Washboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/washboard. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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