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storyboard

American  
[stawr-ee-bawrd, stohr-ee-bohrd] / ˈstɔr iˌbɔrd, ˈstoʊr iˌboʊrd /

noun

  1. a panel or panels on which a sequence of sketches depict the significant changes of action and scene in a planned film, as for a movie, television show, or advertisement.

storyboard British  
/ ˈstɔːrɪˌbɔːd /

noun

  1. (in films, television, advertising, etc) a series of sketches or photographs showing the sequence of shots or images planned for a film

"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 storyboard

Probably earlier than 1945–50; story 1 + 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 Academy Award-nominated director’s decades-spanning work at Disney also included turns as a writer, storyboard artist and animator for beloved films such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

When anyone can draft a passable paragraph or storyboard an idea, exceptional talent becomes more apparent than ever.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025

Students typed prompts into Dzine, an AI image editing platform, which seconds later displayed images of polar bears and arctic explorers for use in a nature documentary storyboard.

From Barron's • Nov. 7, 2025

While a traditional ad campaign might require weeks of brainstorming sessions, focus groups and meticulous production schedules, AI can spit out a ready-made storyboard in minutes.

From Salon • Nov. 24, 2024

Leo showed Jenny a storyboard sketching out the action shots.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

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.