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

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 • Jul. 10, 2025

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

From Washington Post • Sep. 24, 2022

Among other issues, Levin was an outspoken critic of waterboarding and other so-called “enhanced interrogation techniques” authorized by the Bush administration for use against detainees.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 29, 2021

For his 2018 Showtime series “Who Is America,” the British comedian got former Vice President Dick Cheney to sign a waterboarding kit.

From Washington Times • Oct. 21, 2020

Dick Cheney is generally absent, as are any real discussions of waterboarding or renditions or Guantánamo.

From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2019