waterboarding

American  

[waw-ter-bawr-ding, wot-er‑] / ˈwɔ tərˌbɔr dɪŋ, ˈwɒt ər‑ /

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.

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waterboarding British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of waterboarding

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

Example Sentences

In our American experiment, queerness has clearly offered “We, the People” some exponential benefit of stick-to-it-ness, multiplicity of skill and wit in the struggle, as our society has withstood several true tests to soar higher than Charlemagne without imprisoning the satirists or waterboarding the joketellers.

From Salon

Then, colliding with another soggy system sliding north off the Pacific, the storm wobbled and its clouds tipped, waterboarding south central Texas with an extraordinary 20 inches of rain.

From Salon

Under Feinstein’s leadership, the intelligence committee conducted a wide-ranging, five-year investigation into CIA interrogation techniques during President George W. Bush’s administration, including waterboarding of terrorism suspects at secret overseas prisons.

From Washington Times

A CIA spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a follow-up email about the lack of waterboarding mentions.

From Washington Post

The two freshmen in the waterboarding case are white.

From Seattle Times