boarding

American  

[bawr-ding, bohr-] / ˈbɔr dɪŋ, ˈboʊr- /

noun

1. wooden boards collectively.

2. a structure of boards, as in a fence or a floor.

3. the act of a person who boards a ship, train, airplane, or the like.

   an uneventful boarding.

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boarding British  

/ ˈbɔːdɪŋ /

noun

1. a structure of boards, such as a floor or fence

2. timber boards collectively

3. 1. the act of embarking on an aircraft, train, ship, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a boarding pass

4. a process used in tanning to accentuate the natural grain of hides, in which the surface of a softened leather is lightly creased by folding grain to grain and the fold is worked to and fro across the leather

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Other Word Forms

• preboarding
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of boarding

First recorded in 1525–35; board + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Landlords may soon find it more practical to sell their rental properties and open pet boarding hotels instead.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

There have been many devastating school fires in Kenya, where boarding schools are common as a colonial legacy of missionaries and the British.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

Fires are not uncommon in Kenyan boarding schools, with several deadly incidents reported in recent years.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Richard Nixon left the White House via the South Lawn after announcing his resignation in 1974 in the culmination of the Watergate scandal, boarding a military helicopter and giving his trademark double victory sign.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

The couple hurried to the railroad station, boarding a train headed for Hartford, Connecticut...which was as far away as they could get.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• catch
• climb on
• enter
• get on
• hop on