surfboard

American  

[surf-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈsɜrfˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

1. a long, narrow board on which a person stands or lies prone in surfboarding.

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verb (used without object)

1. to ride a surfboard.

surfboard British  

/ ˈsɜːfˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a long narrow board used in surfing

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Etymology

Origin of surfboard

First recorded in 1820–30; surf + board

Explanation

A surfboard is a long plank that's used for riding on top of ocean waves. The first thing you'll learn about using your new surfboard is how to stand up on it without immediately falling off! To be a surfer, you'll need a surfboard — a buoyant board, often made of fiberglass, used to ride the surf while standing upright — and lots of practice! Modern surfboards are relatively lightweight and aerodynamic, and they have fins on the bottom to help them be more stable in the water. For ancient Hawaiians, surfing held spiritual significance, and the original surfboards were built from solid wood in a solemn ceremony. In Hawaiian, a surfboard is called a papa heʻenalu, or "wave-sliding board."

Example Sentences

“Have we been knocked off our metaphorical surfboard from time to time? Of course.”

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Stories involving a sitar, a surfboard, several root beer floats and a bride-to-be.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

Hours earlier, an 11-year-old surfer had to be assisted off Sydney's Dee Why Beach after a suspected shark bit his surfboard, with the local council urging swimmers and surfers to be cautious.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

"GPX4 is a bit like a surfboard," says Conrad.

From Science Daily • Dec. 9, 2025

The same parched sandpapery voice that at one time made me melt into my surfboard.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson