running board

noun

1. a small ledge, step, or footboard, formerly beneath the doors of an automobile, to assist passengers entering or leaving the car.

running board

noun

1. a footboard along the side of a vehicle, esp an early motorcar

Word History and Origins

Origin of running board¹

1810–20, in sense “platform from which a large pole boat is poled,” Americanism

Example Sentences

Power running boards automatically deploy when climbing in and out of the vehicle.

From Washington Blade

And with one foot on the running board, he was slammed to the ground hard, rolling his head against a tree.

From Project Gutenberg

Bud, twisting his head, saw a pair of slippered feet beside the running board.

From Project Gutenberg

Panting, Chester flung himself upon the running-board just as the car turned out of the yard.

From Project Gutenberg

It was an open summer car with seats straight across and an outside running board.

From Project Gutenberg

The engine had hardly stopped when I jumped on the running-board on one side, while Jim mounted the other.

From Project Gutenberg