running board

American  

noun

1. a small ledge, step, or footboard, formerly beneath the doors of an automobile, to assist passengers entering or leaving the car.

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running board British  

noun

1. a footboard along the side of a vehicle, esp an early motorcar

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Etymology

Origin of running board

1810–20, in sense “platform from which a large pole boat is poled,”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

running board

Cars went so slowly that “bandits could run right up and jump on your running board and take your valuables.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

Weeks ago, I needed some toggle bolts to reinstall a running board on my truck.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 24, 2023

“I said, ‘Alfred can get out that truck and back it up to the dock standing on a running board.

From New York Times ● Dec. 17, 2020

Guests would perch on the running board as he drove them to beach picnics or moonlit games of hockey.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 26, 2017

That had been decided about ten years previous, so of course it was me climbing onto the running board and yanking open the passenger door.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

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