scoreboard

scoreboard — noun

1. A large board, often electronic, in a stadium or sports ground that shows the cu

1.nounB1
Definition

A large board, often electronic, in a stadium or sports ground that shows the current score, time remaining, and other important match information to players and spectators.

Example

When the home team scored, fans turned to the scoreboard to see the new number.

preposition: 'turn to the scoreboard' for checking

The electronic scoreboard at the swimming competition showed the fastest lap times of each swimmer.

collocation: electronic scoreboard

Common collocations
  • check the scoreboard
  • look at the scoreboard
  • electronic scoreboard
  • scoreboard shows / displayed / read
  • on the scoreboard
  • from the scoreboard
  • the scoreboard went dark / malfunctioned
Synonyms
  • display board

    More general term; can refer to any information board, not just sports scores.

  • electronic board

    Emphasises the technology; used for modern digital scoreboards in large stadiums.

  • score display

    Often refers to the screen or section showing the numbers, rather than the whole structure.

Grammar Patterns

scoreboard + verb (shows / displays / reads)

on / from + the + scoreboard

Usage Note

Often used with a verb of display such as 'show', 'display', or 'read'. The preposition 'on' is most common when referring to information appearing on the board: 'The score was 3-1 on the scoreboard.'

Common Mistakes

The scoreboard is 3-2 in the final minutes.
The score is 3-2, as shown on the scoreboard.
'scoreboard' refers to the physical board, not the numbers themselves.

Word family

  • score
    nounA2
  • score
    verbA2
  • scorer
    nounB1
  • scoring
    nounB1
  • scoreless
    adjectiveC1
  • scorekeeper
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Scoreboard' refers specifically to the large board at a sports venue that shows the score and game statistics. 'Display board' is a broader term that covers any information board — in train stations, airports, or offices — and carries no sports connotation. 'Score display' usually describes the electronic screen or portion of a scoreboard that shows the numbers, rather than the full structure including the frame and surrounding panels. 'Screen' is even more general: it can mean a TV, computer monitor, or cinema screen, and only means a scoreboard in context. For example, a commentator might say 'The scoreboard shows a three-point lead,' but would not say 'The display board shows a three-point lead' in a sports context — that would sound odd because 'display board' is too generic. Use 'scoreboard' when the physical board in a sports setting is your focus.

scoreboard ↗display boardscore displayscreen ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • scoreboard operator
  • scoreboard light
  • scoreboard display
  • scoreboard screen

Phrases

  • check the scoreboard
  • look at the scoreboard
  • keep an eye on the scoreboard
  • what does the scoreboard say?

Prepositions

  • on the scoreboard
  • from the scoreboard
  • above the scoreboard
  • below the scoreboard

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Scoreboard' is a compound word formed from 'score' and 'board'. 'Score' comes from Old English 'scoru', meaning 'twenty' — a reference to the practice of cutting twenty tally marks on a stick to keep count. The modern sense of keeping points in a game dates from the 18th century. 'Board' comes from Old English 'bord', meaning 'a flat piece of wood'. The combined term 'scoreboard' first appeared in the late 19th century, around the time organised spectator sports became popular and venues needed a central place to show the score to the crowd.