surfboard

American  

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

noun

• surfboards
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• surfboards
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of surfboard

First recorded in 1820–30; surf + board

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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

See Examples For:

surfboard surfboards

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

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

For example, a seal or sea lion attempting to climb onto a surfboard is usually a good sign to paddle into shore.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026

At Bondi Beach, Will is loading his daughters, aged six and eight, into a kid trailer on his e-bike after their daily swim, his surfboard attached to the side.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Dec. 9, 2025

Trust him to cling to the surfboard as it upends in the froth of the latest wave.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Kailua’s seaside streets bear the unmistakable look of a Hawaiian beach town, an oasis of palm trees, swimsuits and surfboards.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

From bags and bicycles to surfboards and suitcases, the Japanese second-hand market is booming, with quality-conscious buyers in other Asian countries increasingly tapping into the circular economy trend.

From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026

Who knows what inventions, ideas or technological feats will be imagined in gyms or on surfboards as these three Southern California teenagers unleash their brain power and love for having fun on the East Coast.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026

Protesters, some carrying surfboards bearing slogans demanding more to be done to ensure safety on local beaches, marched through the city on Sunday.

From BBC ● May 9, 2024

An entire van full of kids drove past them, some surfboards sticking out of the back.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway

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