aboard
uh-BAWD
Aboard (adv) means On or into a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle. Example: “The captain waved at us from the deck as we climbed aboard.”
adv
1
On or into a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle.
"The captain waved at us from the deck as we climbed aboard."
"Once everyone was aboard, the ferry slowly left the harbour."
"All passengers should be aboard ten minutes before departure."
prep
1
On or onto (a ship, plane, train, etc.).
"The luggage was loaded aboard the train before the doors closed."
"They spent two weeks aboard a small sailing yacht."
"Welcome aboard the flight to Chicago."
How to use aboard
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOn or onto a vehicle you travel in — a ship, plane, or train.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
welcome aboard
climb aboard
all aboard
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Etymology
From Middle English abord, from a- ("on") + bord ("side of a ship, board").
Synonyms
View more →
on board
alongside
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for aboard
board
hoard
onboard
keyboard
cupboard
outboard
seaboard
backboard
starboard
cardboard
surfboard
clipboard
See all rhymes for aboard →
Frequently asked questions
What does “aboard” mean?
The word “aboard” means on or into a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle. In plain terms, on or onto a vehicle you travel in — a ship, plane, or train.
How do you pronounce “aboard”?
“Aboard” is pronounced uh-BAWD (/əˈbɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “aboard” in a sentence?
Here is “aboard” used in a sentence: “All passengers should be aboard ten minutes before departure.”
What part of speech is “aboard”?
Depending on how it is used, “aboard” can be an adverb and a preposition.
Where does the word “aboard” come from?
The word “aboard” comes from Middle English. From Middle English abord, from a- ("on") + bord ("side of a ship, board").
Is “aboard” a common word?
“Aboard” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “aboard” have?
“Aboard” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: on or into a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle.
What is the difference between "aboard" and "on board"?
"Aboard" and "on board" both mean on or onto a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle, and are largely interchangeable. "Aboard" is a single word that can act as an adverb or a preposition, as in "climb aboard" or "aboard the train." "On board" is the two-word phrase, while "onboard" written as one word is usually an adjective, as in "onboard entertainment."
Is "aboard" a preposition or an adverb?
"Aboard" can be both. As a preposition it takes an object, as in "aboard the ship." As an adverb it stands alone, as in "welcome aboard," where no vehicle is named directly.
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