waterboarding

[ waw-ter-bawr-ding, wot-er‑ ]

noun

1. a form of torture in which water is poured onto the face and head of the immobilized victim so as to induce a fear of drowning.

waterboarding

/ ˈwɔːtəˌbɔːdɪŋ /

noun

1. a form of torture in which the victim is immobilized and has water poured on his or her face, producing a severe gag reflex, to simulate drowning

Word History and Origins

Origin of waterboarding¹

First recorded in 2000–05; water + board + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

For instance, under George W. Bush the office declared that waterboarding was not torture under the legal definition of that word, which shut down any possible prosecution of CIA or military intelligence operators who had ordered or conducted waterboarding of detainees in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

From Salon

In February, U.N. experts condemned the use of sexual violence against women and girls in detention, and in August described substantiated reports by men and women of “detainees in cage-like enclosures, tied to beds blindfolded and in diapers, stripped naked, deprived of adequate healthcare, food, water and sleep, electrocutions including on their genitals, blackmail and cigarette burns. In addition, victims spoke of loud music played until their ears bled, attacks by dogs, waterboarding, suspension from ceilings and severe sexual and gender-based violence.”

From Salon

He’d take waterboarding over that.

From Slate

He was subjected to a number of "enhanced interrogation techniques", including "waterboarding" - simulated drowning - at least 183 times before the practice was banned by the US government.

From BBC

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said testimony received by his office suggested Israeli authorities may have inflicted "appalling acts" on detainees, including "waterboarding and the release of dogs".

From BBC