1. A long flat slab of sawed lumber; a plank.
2. A flat piece of wood or similarly rigid material adapted for a special use.
3. Games. A flat surface on which a game is played.
4. The hard cover of a book.
5. boards A theater stage.
6. 1. A table, especially one set for serving food.
   2. Food or meals considered as a whole: board and lodging.
7. A table at which official meetings are held; a council table.
8. An organized body of administrators or investigators: a board of trustees; a board of directors.
9. An electrical-equipment panel.
10. Computer Science. A circuit board.
11. Sports.
    1. A scoreboard.
    2. A tote board.
    3. boards The wooden structure enclosing an ice hockey rink.
    4. A diving board.
    5. A surfboard.
    6. A snowboard.
12. Basketball.
    1. A backboard.
    2. A rebound.
13. Nautical.
    1. The side of a ship.
    2. A leeboard.
    3. A centerboard.
14. Obsolete. A border or an edge.
15. A usually large, vertically positioned flat surface used for writing or posting, especially:
    1. A blackboard.
    2. A bulletin board.

1. To cover or close with boards: board up a broken window.
2. 1. To furnish with meals in return for pay.
   2. To house where board is furnished: board a horse at a stable.
3. 1. To enter or go aboard (a vehicle or ship).
   2. To allow (passengers) on board.
   3. Nautical. To come alongside (a ship).
4. Sports. To force (an opposing hockey player) into the boards with a body check.
5. Obsolete. To approach.

1. To use a snowboard, skateboard, surfboard, or similar item.
2. To receive meals or food and lodging as a paying customer.

across the board

1. So as to affect or include all people, classes, or categories: raised taxes across the board.

1. Aboard.
2. On the job.

[Middle English bord, from Old English.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.