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Synonyms

room and board

American  

noun

  1. lodging and meals.


room and board Idioms  
  1. Lodging and meals, as in The university's price for room and board has increased by another 10 percent. [Mid-1900s]


Etymology

Origin of room and board

First recorded in 1950–55

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:

If you decide to save for education, either now or in the future, a tax-advantaged 529 account can help cover expenses such as tuition, fees, books and room and board.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 8, 2026

She provided room and board in return for manual labour and help around the house.

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

Cruises still are value plays — passage, room and board and entertainment remain usually more expensive on land than on a cruise.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 11, 2026

Later, she babysat and washed dishes for an academic couple in exchange for room and board.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 2026

Because money was tight I didn't draw a paycheck and instead reluctantly agreed with Dad to be paid in room and board.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

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