Definition of "board" in English

noun

1. A relatively long, wide and thin piece of any material, usually wood or similar, often for use in construction or furniture-making.

2. A device (e.g., switchboard) containing electrical switches and other controls and designed to control lights, sound, telephone connections, etc.

3. A flat surface with markings for playing a board game.

   • Each player starts the game with four counters on the board.

4. Short for blackboard, whiteboard, chessboard, surfboard, circuit board, message board (on the Internet), bulletin board, etc.

5. A committee that manages the business of an organization, e.g., a board of directors.

   • We have to wait to hear back from the board.

6. (uncountable) Regular meals in a place of lodging; the price paid for them.

   • board and lodging
   • room and board
   • His board was served by his landlady, the owner of the boarding house. [meals]
   • His board seemed a bit steep, but he accepted it because the house was clean and his fellow lodgers were respectful neighbors. [price for meals]

7. (nautical) The side of a ship.

8. (nautical) The distance a sailing vessel runs between tacks when working to windward.

9. (ice hockey, often in the plural) The wall that surrounds an ice hockey rink.

10. (archaic) A long, narrow table, like that used in a medieval dining hall.

    • 1890, Algernon Blackwood, Christmas in England, Methodist Magazine Volume 32 pg 481. The real beginning of the festivities is on Christmas-eve, when the large parties meet their friends from far and near round the festive board.

11. Paper made thick and stiff like a board, for book covers, etc.; pasteboard.

    • to bind a book in boards

12. (video games) A level or stage having a particular two-dimensional layout.

13. (TCGs) The portion of the playing field where creatures or minions can be placed (or played, summoned, etc.).

14. (bridge) A container for holding pre-dealt cards that is used to allow multiple sets of players to play the same cards.

15. (Philippines, local government) A provincial assembly or council.

verb

1. (transitive) To step or climb onto or otherwise enter a ship, aircraft, train or other conveyance.

   • It is time to board the aircraft.

2. (transitive) To provide someone with meals and lodging, usually in exchange for money.