aboard

American  

[uh-bawrd, uh-bohrd] / əˈbɔrd, əˈboʊrd /

adverb

1. on board; on, in, or into a ship, train, airplane, bus, etc..

   to step aboard.

2. alongside; to the side.

3. Baseball. on base.

   a homer with two aboard.

4. into a group as a new member.

   The office manager welcomed him aboard.

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preposition

1. on board of; on, in, or into.

   to come aboard a ship.

idioms

1. all aboard! (as a warning to passengers entering or planning to enter a train, bus, boat, etc., just before starting) Everyone get on!

aboard British  

/ əˈbɔːd /

adverb

1. on, in, onto, or into (a ship, train, aircraft, etc)

2. nautical alongside (a vessel)

3. a warning to passengers to board a vehicle, ship, etc

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Etymology

Origin of aboard

1350–1400; Middle English abord ( e ) ( a- ¹, board ), perhaps conflated with Middle French a bord

Explanation

The adverb aboard means on board, as in on a ship, train or plane. Usually the captain will welcome you aboard with a brief speech if you're lucky — or a long one if you're not. Aboard comes from the French phrase à bord, which has the same meaning as the English word — on board. If you were just hired, your new manager might say "Welcome aboard" (the figurative company train). The phrase "All aboard!" is said as a warning before departure, especially before a ship or train leaves. It means, in essence: haul your keister up here quick or you'll be left behind!

Example Sentences

The crew are now safely aboard a waiting ship and recovering from a nine-day voyage that took them further from Earth than any humans in history.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

During the 2022 Artemis I test mission, which had no people aboard, the heat shield had unexpectedly chipped in more than 100 spots.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Perhaps the best reason to sign on with an adviser who’s willing to bring you aboard despite your under-the-threshold assets is if your situation matches the firm’s niche.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

For crews who have been stuck for weeks aboard ships, the agreement between the US and Iran is the first sign of hope.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

There had never been an intruder aboard the Juggernaut, and it was poorly equipped for its first one.

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown