sounding board
Americannoun
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a thin, resonant plate of wood forming part of a musical instrument, and so placed as to enhance the power and quality of the tone.
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a structure over or behind and above a speaker, orchestra, etc., to reflect the sound toward the audience.
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a board used in floors, partitions, etc., for deadening sound.
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a person or persons whose reactions serve as a measure of the effectiveness of the methods, ideas, etc., put forth.
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a person or group that propagates ideas, opinions, etc..
He was more of a sounding board than a novelist.
noun
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Also called: soundboard. a thin wooden board in a piano or comprising the upper surface of a resonating chamber in a violin, cello, etc, serving to amplify the vibrations produced by the strings passing across it See also belly
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Also called: soundboard. a thin screen suspended over a pulpit, stage, etc, to reflect sound towards an audience
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a person, group, experiment, etc, used to test a new idea, policy, etc, for acceptance or applicability
Etymology
Origin of sounding board
First recorded in 1760–70
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.
He has also signaled a more direct role in Mamdani’s early tenure, indicating he would serve as a sounding board for the new mayor as he navigates the demands of the office.
From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2026
“He was a sounding board for the Enterprises on a variety of subjects, as he was known to be a highly in-demand, influential financial advisor and philanthropist in New York City.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 15, 2026
Another part of the mental burden of being the spouse who handles the finances is that you need a sounding board for your ideas.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 10, 2026
Warsh, 55, and Druckenmiller sit 10 feet apart, according to Druckenmiller, with Warsh serving as a Fed-whisperer sounding board to Druck’s macro-trader sensibility.
From Barron's ● Feb. 2, 2026
At 0142, on pilot’s orders, the Corona made its corrective dogleg while the navigator fixed twice more on the sounding board.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.
