aboard
Americanadverb
-
on board; on, in, or into a ship, train, airplane, bus, etc..
to step aboard.
-
alongside; to the side.
-
Baseball. on base.
a homer with two aboard.
-
into a group as a new member.
The office manager welcomed him aboard.
preposition
idioms
adverb
-
on, in, onto, or into (a ship, train, aircraft, etc)
-
nautical alongside (a vessel)
-
a warning to passengers to board a vehicle, ship, etc
Etymology
Origin of aboard
1350–1400; Middle English abord ( e ) ( see a- 1, board), perhaps conflated with Middle French a bord
Explanation
The adverb aboard means on board, as in on a ship, train or plane. Usually the captain will welcome you aboard with a brief speech if you're lucky — or a long one if you're not. Aboard comes from the French phrase à bord, which has the same meaning as the English word — on board. If you were just hired, your new manager might say "Welcome aboard" (the figurative company train). The phrase "All aboard!" is said as a warning before departure, especially before a ship or train leaves. It means, in essence: haul your keister up here quick or you'll be left behind!
Vocabulary lists containing aboard
Words Every Pirate Should Know
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Star-Spangled Banner" and "The Flag We Love"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, held a ceremony to honour the passengers and crew members killed aboard the plane.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
He didn’t say it’s great to be aboard for this new adventure.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Seven French military personnel, five members at a maritime rescue coordination centre and two sailors aboard a patrol vessel have been under investigation since 2023 for failing to help a person in danger.
From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026
In warmer weather, you can rent kayaks, wave runners and paddleboards or take a seasonal cruise aboard the Lake Lawn Queen; winter brings cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing and sledding.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
He liked the view, he said, for it reminded him of the crow’s nest aboard ship.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
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.
