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:
But Bryant repeatedly missed his final dunk, a between the legs and off the backboard reverse slam.
From Barron's ● Feb. 14, 2026
Or, they could lurk around the backboard, as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman likes to say, in case his market develops differently than expected.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 19, 2024
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
“Just shoot it,” Bryce commented while walking into the house with his back to the basket as the ball bounced off the backboard and through the hoop.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 19, 2024
At least there was the chance the ball would bounce off the backboard and drop in.
From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman
It was another offensive rebound by Davis and another sign of how committed the Lakers were to hitting the backboards on Tuesday night against the tough-rebounding Utah Jazz.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2023
He was strong on the backboards, defense and in his role at forward alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2023
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
Hyman quickly responded, sending a shot off the backboards that came right back to him in front.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 19, 2023
I could see myself jumping over backboards, defenders sobbing like babies, spectators gasping at moves no human had ever made before.
From "Crash" by Jerry Spinelli
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.
