noun
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a board that is placed behind something to form or support its back
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a board worn to straighten or support the back, as after surgery
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(in basketball) a flat upright surface supported on a high frame, under which the basket is attached
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of backboard
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A three-pointer clanked off the side of the backboard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 4, 2026
But Bryant repeatedly missed his final dunk, a between the legs and off the backboard reverse slam.
From Barron's ● Feb. 14, 2026
He could pick teacups off the top of the backboard.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2025
Embiid had the ball in the lane, threw it off the backboard to pass it to himself, rose up and slammed it down with 2:49 remaining in the second quarter.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 20, 2024
She spun around, knocking him to the concrete, and shot again, banking the ball off the backboard neatly into the net.
From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson
For Lakers guard Marcus Smart, there is one way to compete with the Rockets on the backboards.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2026
While championship dynasties dominate news cycles and genetically gifted athletes who come out of the womb ready to tear down backboards command our attention, it’s the little guys in sports who truly capture our affection.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 28, 2023
The Lakers had issues with the Kings on the backboards, giving up way too many.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 19, 2023
Hyman quickly responded, sending a shot off the backboards that came right back to him in front.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 19, 2023
In the half-lit gym, the white stripes on the floor and the basketball backboards almost glow.
From "Rules" by Cynthia Lord
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
