board

n. & v.
—n.
1 a a flat thin piece of sawn timber, usu. long and narrow. b a piece of material resembling this, made from compressed fibres. c a thin slab of wood or a similar substance, often with a covering, used for any of various purposes (chessboard; ironing-board; notice-board). d thick stiff card used in bookbinding.
2 the provision of regular meals, usu. with accommodation, for payment.
3 archaic a table spread for a meal.
4 the directors of a company; any other specially constituted administrative body, e.g. a committee or group of councillors, examiners, etc.
5 (in pl.) the stage of a theatre (cf. tread the boards).
6 Naut. the side of a ship.
—v.
1 tr. a go on board (a ship, train, aircraft, etc.). b force one's way on board (a ship etc.) in attack.
2 a intr. receive regular meals, or (esp. of a schoolchild) meals and lodging, for payment. b tr. (often foll. by out) arrange accommodation away from home for (esp. a child). c tr. provide (a lodger etc.) with regular meals.
3 tr. (usu. foll. by up) cover with boards; seal or close.
Phrases and idioms:
board-game a game played on a board. board of trade US a chamber of commerce. go by the board be neglected, omitted, or discarded. on board on or on to a ship, aircraft, oil rig, etc. take on board consider (a new idea etc.).
Etymology: OE bord f. Gmc