board
board — verb
1. to go onto a plane, train, ship, or similar vehicle, or to let passengers go ont
to go onto a plane, train, ship, or similar vehicle, or to let passengers go onto it.
After the final call, Priya boarded the plane with two small bags.
board + plane
At dawn, ferry workers boarded tourists from the wet wooden dock.
transitive: board + passengers
The last passengers boarded the train just before the doors closed.
A nurse boarded the rescue helicopter carrying ice packs and water.
- board the plane
- board the train
- board a helicopter
- board passengers
Grammar Patterns
board + plane/train/ship
board + passengers
board + vehicle
Usage Note
In everyday English, the object can be the vehicle or the people getting on it. On signs and travel announcements, 'board' is often more formal than 'get on'.
Common Mistakes
2. to live in someone's home and pay for both your bed and your meals there.
to live in someone's home and pay for both your bed and your meals there.
During college, Yusuf boarded with a retired couple near the library.
board with + family/person
For three months, Greta boarded at Mrs. Wu's house by the river.
board at + house
The young actor boarded with the Park family while he looked for work.
In the village, two nurses boarded at the same farmhouse all winter.
- board with a family
- board at a house
- board near the college
- board for the winter
Grammar Patterns
board with + family/person
board at + house
Usage Note
Usually followed by 'with' plus the host family or 'at' plus the house. Distinguish from sense 3, which is specifically about living at school.
Common Mistakes
3. to stay in school housing and have your meals there through the term.
to stay in school housing and have your meals there through the term.
From age eleven, Noa boarded at a girls' school outside Dublin.
board at + school
During the winter term, Ravi boarded and saw his parents on Sundays.
Older students may board in the old brick house near the gym.
At fourteen, Hana started boarding because the farm was too far away.
start boarding
- board at school
- start boarding
- board during the term
- board near the gym
- live in
broader and can describe any place where someone lives on site
- reside
formal and not specific to school life
- stay on campus
close in meaning, but more common for universities than schools
- commute
to travel in from home each day instead of living there
Grammar Patterns
board at + school
start boarding
students board
Usage Note
Used mainly for boarding schools. The subject is the student, and the school is often named with 'at' or understood from the context.
Common Mistakes
4. to leave a dog, cat, or other pet with a place or person that will care for it f
to leave a dog, cat, or other pet with a place or person that will care for it for a short time.
Before the holiday, Theo boarded his dog at a small animal hotel.
board + pet + at + place
The clinic can board rabbits when families travel during summer.
board + animal
On Friday evening, the Lees boarded their cat near the airport.
A neighbor boarded Mei's parrot while she recovered in the hospital.
- board a dog
- board a cat
- board rabbits
- board a pet at a kennel
- leave
more general and does not show that paid care is arranged
- kennel
used mainly for dogs and usually names a kennel as the place
- place in care
formal phrase for arranging temporary care
- pick up
to collect the animal after the stay
- bring home
to take the pet back to its usual home
Grammar Patterns
board + dog/cat/pet
board + pet + at + place
Usage Note
The pet is the direct object. This sense is common in pet-care contexts such as kennels, clinics, and animal hotels.
Common Mistakes
5. to move across snow while standing on a long board with both feet fixed to it.
to move across snow while standing on a long board with both feet fixed to it.
By noon, Kofi was boarding down the easy slope without falling.
board down + slope
After fresh snow fell, two cousins boarded behind the ski school.
On the video wall, a local champion boarded through deep snow.
board through + snow
When the lift opened, even beginners could board on the practice hill.
- board down the slope
- board through snow
- board on the practice hill
- board behind the ski school
Grammar Patterns
board down + slope
board through + snow
board on + practice hill
Usage Note
Most often used in sport contexts for snowboarding. Distinguish from sense 1, where someone gets onto a vehicle instead of travelling on a board.
Common Mistakes
6. in the sport of ice hockey, to slam an opponent into the side boards with illega
in the sport of ice hockey, to slam an opponent into the side boards with illegal force.
Omar boarded a player near the glass and drew a penalty.
board + player
Late in the game, a defender boarded Theo's brother from behind.
board + player + from behind
Fans booed when the captain boarded the rookie beside the bench.
In overtime, Yuri nearly boarded an opponent chasing the loose puck.
- board a player
- board an opponent
- board from behind
- board near the glass
- check into the boards
longer descriptive phrase for the same hockey action
- slam
broader and not limited to hockey
- hit
general word that does not itself imply the boards
Grammar Patterns
board + player
board + player + from behind
board + opponent + near the glass
Usage Note
A hockey term. The object is the player who is hit, and the action usually sends that player hard into the boards or glass.
Common Mistakes
board — noun
1. a long flat strip of wood or another stiff material that people cut, join, or na
a long flat strip of wood or another stiff material that people cut, join, or nail into place.
Priya sanded the rough board before painting the window frame.
sand a board
Two workers carried a long board across the wet garden path.
carry a board
A cracked board came loose under Ravi's foot on the deck.
The carpenter cut each board to fit the kitchen shelves.
cut a board to fit
- wooden board
- floor board
- cut a board
- sand a board
- loose board
Grammar Patterns
cut / sand / carry a board
board for floors / shelves / walls
Usage Note
Often used for a single piece in building or repair work. Distinguish from sense 2, where the board is a marked surface for a game.
2. a flat surface with lines, squares, or another pattern for playing a game on.
a flat surface with lines, squares, or another pattern for playing a game on.
Bao set the board on the table before opening the chess box.
set the board on the table
Our cat knocked the board over during a family game night.
knock the board over
Elena moved her piece across the board and smiled at Yusuf.
move a piece across the board
The children folded the board and put it back in the box.
- chess board
- set up the board
- across the board
- fold the board
- game board
a clear, general phrase for this object
- chessboard
only for chess, not for every board game
- playing surface
broader and can also describe sports areas
Grammar Patterns
set / fold / knock over the board
move a piece across the board
Usage Note
Used for the playing surface itself, not for the whole game. Distinguish from sense 1 when the object is simply a piece of material without a game pattern.
3. the large black or white surface in a classroom where people write with chalk or
the large black or white surface in a classroom where people write with chalk or markers.
Ms. Chen wrote today's homework on the board before lunch.
write on the board
Aiko cleaned the board while the next class waited outside.
clean the board
The math answer stayed on the board all afternoon.
on the board
Please look at the board during the science lesson.
- write on the board
- clean the board
- board marker
- board eraser
- blackboard
the older dark classroom board, usually written on with chalk
- whiteboard
the modern white classroom board, usually written on with markers
- chalkboard
specifically a board used with chalk
Grammar Patterns
write on the board
look at the board
Usage Note
Common as a short form for both 'blackboard' and 'whiteboard'. Distinguish from sense 8, which is for posted notices rather than writing during a lesson.
Common Mistakes
4. the small group that directs an organization and decides its most important acti
the small group that directs an organization and decides its most important actions.
The board approved the new hospital budget after a long meeting.
collocation: board approved
Two board members resigned when the charity hid its spending from donors.
pattern: board members
At noon, the board was still debating whether to close the factory.
Our school board meets every month in the town library.
The board were divided over the sale, so the vote was delayed.
plural verb when members are emphasised
- board meeting
- board member
- board approval
- school board
- board vote
- committee
broader; many committees advise but do not control an organization
- directors
focuses on the individual members, especially in a company
- governing body
more formal and often used for public institutions
Grammar Patterns
the board + singular verb
board members
school board
Usage Note
Usually singular when naming the governing group, but 'board members' names the people individually. In British English, a plural verb is possible when attention is on the members rather than the group.
Common Mistakes
5. inside or travelling on a ship, train, or plane.
inside or travelling on a ship, train, or plane.
Please remain on board until the ferry reaches the island dock.
fixed phrase: remain on board
Three doctors were on board when the small plane landed safely.
We ate lunch on board during the long train ride north.
There were 180 passengers on board at the time of the storm.
pattern: passengers on board
- remain on board
- passengers on board
- crew on board
- eat on board
- aboard
single-word equivalent, especially in travel announcements
- on the train
works for a specific vehicle, not as a general travel expression
Grammar Patterns
on board
remain on board
passengers on board
Usage Note
Normally used in the phrase 'on board' after a form of 'be', 'remain', or 'stay'. Distinguish from sense 6: sense 5 is about physical location on transport, not membership in a team.
Common Mistakes
6. included in a team or group that has been brought together for a job.
included in a team or group that has been brought together for a job.
The hospital brought a translator on board for the refugee clinic.
pattern: bring someone on board
We need another designer on board before the app launch.
By April, the campaign had three student volunteers on board.
pattern: have + people + on board
The museum kept a local historian on board for the summer show.
- bring someone on board
- get someone on board
- have volunteers on board
- keep an expert on board
- left out
describes not being included in the group
Grammar Patterns
bring someone on board
get someone on board
have someone on board
Usage Note
Often follows verbs such as 'bring', 'get', 'have', or 'keep' when a person is added to a project. Distinguish from sense 7: here someone becomes a member of the team, not simply a supporter of the idea.
Common Mistakes
7. ready to support a plan or idea and take part in it.
ready to support a plan or idea and take part in it.
Are the investors on board with the new factory plan?
pattern: be on board with + plan
After one meeting, even Yusuf was on board with the plan.
The village was on board with closing the road for repairs.
Not everyone came on board with the recycling project at first.
pattern: come on board with + project
- be on board with a plan
- come on board
- get everyone on board
- fully on board
- supportive
describes a positive attitude, but not always active involvement
- in agreement
focuses on sharing the same view
- committed
stronger; suggests firm long-term involvement
- opposed
actively against the plan or idea
- unconvinced
not yet persuaded to support it
Grammar Patterns
be on board with + plan
come on board
get everyone on board
Usage Note
Often appears as 'be on board with' or 'come on board with' an idea, change, or project. Distinguish from sense 6: this sense is about support and willingness, not formal membership.
Common Mistakes
8. in British English, a board where notices, messages, or public information are p
in British English, a board where notices, messages, or public information are put up.
A new job ad went up on the board by the library door.
put / go up on the board
Students checked the board for exam rooms after breakfast.
check the board for [information]
Farouk pinned the lost-dog photo to the board in the cafe.
pin something to the board
The board outside city hall listed tomorrow's street closures.
- school board
- put a notice on the board
- pin something to the board
- board by the door
- noticeboard
the full British English form
- bulletin board
the more usual American English term
- message board
can also refer to an online discussion site, so it is broader
Grammar Patterns
put something on the board
check the board for notices
Usage Note
British English often shortens 'noticeboard' to 'board'. In North American English, people more often say 'bulletin board' or use the full word.
Common Mistakes
9. the meals a hotel, school, or host family gives you during your stay, often as p
the meals a hotel, school, or host family gives you during your stay, often as part of the price.
The mountain hotel offers full board during the winter ski season.
collocation: full board
Priya paid extra for board at the farm guesthouse.
pattern: pay extra for board
Board is included when students stay at St. Agnes Hall.
passive: board is included
The language camp charges less if you choose half board.
collocation: half board
The school raises fees when board is added to the term bill.
- full board
- half board
- pay for board
- board included
- room and board
Grammar Patterns
full board
half board
room and board
board included
Usage Note
Usually uncountable and most common in hotel or school phrases such as 'full board', 'half board', and 'room and board'. It names the meal part of a stay, not the bedroom itself.
Common Mistakes
10. a formal test set by a professional organization, especially in the US, to check
a formal test set by a professional organization, especially in the US, to check whether someone is ready to work in that field.
After medical school, Omar spent six months preparing for his boards.
common plural use: the boards
The hospital paid for Nadia's board review course before the exam.
collocation: board review course
Rohan cannot practice alone until he passes the boards.
In the US, many doctors take their boards after hospital training.
- take your boards
- pass the boards
- board review course
- medical boards
- nursing board
- licensing exam
explains the function clearly, but is less idiomatic than 'boards'
- certification exam
general term for a test that proves professional ability
- qualifying exam
broader; can also refer to university exams
Grammar Patterns
take the boards
pass the boards
board review course
Usage Note
Common in American English and often said as 'the boards' when people mean the exam series for a profession.
Common Mistakes
11. a flexible platform beside a swimming pool that a diver jumps from.
a flexible platform beside a swimming pool that a diver jumps from.
Noa bounced twice on the board before jumping into the pool.
on the board before diving
The lifeguard closed the high board during the storm.
high board
Samir slipped at the end of the board but caught the rail.
Children lined up beside the board for the diving lesson.
beside the board
- high board
- low board
- jump off the board
- board at the pool
- springboard
the usual word when you want to stress the board's bounce
- diving platform
broader and can include a firm platform without spring
Grammar Patterns
jump from the board
high / low board
Usage Note
Usually understood from pool or diving context. Common compounds include 'high board' and 'springboard'.
12. the part of a theatre where actors stand and perform for the audience.
the part of a theatre where actors stand and perform for the audience.
At sixteen, Leila first stepped onto the boards in a village theatre.
fixed phrase: the boards = theatre stage
After the curtain rose, Theo crossed the boards and bowed to the crowd.
For years, Priya dreamed of returning to the boards after raising children.
collocation: return to the boards
The old comic spent forty winters on the boards before retiring.
- on the boards
- step onto the boards
- return to the boards
Grammar Patterns
on the boards
step onto the boards
Usage Note
Usually found in theatre writing, often in the plural phrase 'the boards'.
13. the low wall around an ice hockey rink that keeps the puck and players inside th
the low wall around an ice hockey rink that keeps the puck and players inside the playing area.
The puck hit the board and flew back toward the goalie.
hit the board
An angry check sent Omar hard into the board.
send someone into the board
Fans near the board jumped when the players crashed beside them.
The referee warned both teams after a hard crash into the boards.
into the boards
- into the boards
- along the boards
- hit the boards
- board battle
- rink wall
a clear descriptive phrase rather than a fixed sports term
Grammar Patterns
hit the board
go into the boards
Usage Note
Ice hockey writers and commentators often use the plural form 'the boards', especially in phrases like 'into the boards' or 'along the boards'.
across the board
idiomAffecting all people or things equally in a group.
The company gave all employees an across-the-board pay raise.
Across the board, test scores improved this year.
go by the board
idiomTo be rejected, ignored, or no longer possible.
Our vacation plans went by the board when Dad lost his job.
All her careful preparations went by the board after the storm.
on board
idiomOn or inside a vehicle such as a ship, aircraft, or train.
The passengers are all on board the cruise ship now.
Is everyone on board the bus yet?
sweep the board
idiomTo win all the prizes or achieve complete success in a competition.
Our team swept the board at the science fair.
She swept the board in the swimming competition, winning three golds.
To accept and consider an idea or suggestion.
The manager took our feedback on board and changed the policy.
I hope you will take my advice on board before making a decision.
Word family
- boardingnounB2
- boardernounB2
- boardroomnounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
'Board', 'get on', and 'embark' can all describe going onto a vehicle, but they differ in tone and range. 'Board' is standard in travel language and is especially common for planes, trains, and ships. It is slightly more formal than 'get on', which is the usual everyday choice in speech. 'Embark' is more formal again and often appears in announcements, travel writing, or careful reporting. 'Enter' is too broad for this sense: you can enter a room or building, but passengers do not usually enter a bus in ordinary English. 'Load' is different because it often focuses on staff putting people, animals, or goods onto a vehicle. Compare: 'We boarded the ferry at noon,' 'We got on the bus after lunch,' 'The guests embarked before sunset,' and 'Farm workers loaded the sheep onto the truck.'
Common collocations
Phrases
- on board
- come on board
Etymology
The oldest English form of 'board' comes from Old English 'bord', from a Germanic word for a plank, a flat surface, a table, or the side of a ship. That broad physical image helps explain several later meanings. A board was first a piece of wood, then also a table; from the table sense, English developed 'board' for regular meals and lodging. The verb grew from the ship sense: to board was first to go onto a ship, and later the same idea spread to trains, planes, and similar vehicles. The modern meaning of a managing board comes from the idea of people gathering around a table to make decisions.