noun
Common
boards
bawdz
Boards (noun) means a stage, especially in theatre — as in the phrase "to tread the boards.". Example: “The young actor was thrilled to tread the boards at the local theatre.”
noun
1
A stage, especially in theatre — as in the phrase "to tread the boards."
"The young actor was thrilled to tread the boards at the local theatre."
"After decades on the boards, the veteran performer retired quietly."
"She'd been treading the boards since she was twelve."
2
The wall surrounding an ice hockey rink.
"The puck bounced off the boards and landed right on his stick."
"The players slammed into the boards while chasing the puck."
"He was checked hard into the boards."
3
Formal exams required to enter a profession or qualify in a field.
"He passed his law boards on the first try and could finally start work."
"Nurses must sit their boards before they are allowed to practise in some countries."
"She spent the whole summer studying for her medical boards."
How to use boards
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: the stage, a hockey rink's barrier, or professional qualifying exams.
Common pairings
tread the boards
checked into the boards
pass your boards
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like boards.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The young actor was thrilled to tread the _____ at the local theatre.
Etymology
See the etymology at the corresponding lemma form.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “boards” mean?
The word “boards” means a stage, especially in theatre — as in the phrase "to tread the boards.". In plain terms, depending on context: the stage, a hockey rink's barrier, or professional qualifying exams.
How do you pronounce “boards”?
“Boards” is pronounced bawdz (/bɔːɹdz/ in IPA).
How do you use “boards” in a sentence?
Here is “boards” used in a sentence: “She'd been treading the boards since she was twelve.”
What part of speech is “boards”?
“Boards” is a noun.
Is “boards” a common word?
“Boards” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “boards” have?
“Boards” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stage, especially in theatre — as in the phrase "to tread the boards.".
Why is the wall around an ice hockey rink called 'the boards'?
In ice hockey, 'the boards' refers to the low wall that surrounds the rink and keeps the puck in play. Players are often 'checked into the boards,' meaning pushed against this barrier as part of the game.
Is 'boards' singular or plural when it refers to a theatre stage?
When 'boards' means a stage, it is always used in the plural form, as in 'she has trod the boards for years.' It behaves as a fixed idiomatic expression and is not shortened to a singular 'board' in this sense.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include boards:
