paperboard

American

[pey-per-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈpeɪ pərˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

a thick, stiff cardboard composed of layers of paper or paper pulp compressed together.

adjective

of, relating to, or made of paperboard.

paperboard British

/ ˈpeɪpəˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a thick cardboard made of compressed layers of paper pulp; pasteboard
2. ( as modifier )
  
  a paperboard box

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of paperboard

First recorded in 1540–50; paper + board

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.

The Machine Clothing business primarily supports the production of paper, paperboard, tissue, towel, and pulp, and engineered fabrics for non-paper industries.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

As for packaging, foods in plastic containers had the highest levels of perchlorate, averaging nearly 54 ppb, followed by foods in plastic wrap and paperboard.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2024

Everything from newspapers and junk mail to paperboard envelopes and cardboard boxes can pile up, especially as internet shopping has exploded in popularity.

From Science Daily • Dec. 14, 2023

What’s more, the aseptic cartons themselves are designed to be recyclable, and are usually made from around 70 percent paperboard.

From National Geographic • Dec. 12, 2023

Annual production of paper and paperboard has grown by about 60 percent since 1993, according to statistics collected by the United Nations.

From Slate • Aug. 29, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023