clipboard

American  

[klip-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈklɪpˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

• clipboards
  plural

1. a small board having at the top a clip for holding papers and serving as a portable writing surface.

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clipboard British  

/ ˈklɪpˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a portable writing board with a spring clip at the top for holding paper

2. a temporary storage area in desktop publishing where text or graphics are held after the cut command or the copy command

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• clipboards
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of clipboard

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; clip ² + board

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clipboard clipboards

Stewart smudged her face with gray makeup, cut a few rips in her least-loved jeans, sliced up a gleaming white cardigan and held up a clipboard that read, “I Am Hungry Help Me!!”

From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026

Stewart also held a clipboard that read "I Am Hungry Help Me!!"

From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026

They contact Movement and Control, and the next morning, an officer looks down at his clipboard and barks: “Pack your things. You’re moving to South Hall.”

From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026

But Stafford, who has considered retirement before, was completely understanding when his bosses tipped him off that their first-rounder would be holding a clipboard.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

The proof was in Maya-Jade standing in front of him with her clipboard.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

He oversees a vast signature-gathering operation, which includes workers who fan out across parking lots and public parks with clipboards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026

As the chefs slave over their pots, five judges patrol the aisles with clipboards, making notes on their recipes and techniques.

From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026

I literally went to a place after school where they wore white coats and held clipboards and watched me struggle through reading on these machines that would isolate word after word.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2024

It has involved a number of professionals who specialize in getting people on the ground with clipboards and petitions, and helping candidates navigate the complicated process.

From New York Times ● Apr. 29, 2024

We have two clipboards now instead of one so we can split up and talk to twice as many people.

From "We Were Here" by Matt De La Peña

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