backboard

[ bak-bawrd, -bohrd ]

noun

1. a board placed at or forming the back of anything.
2. Basketball. a board or other flat vertical surface to which the basket is attached.

backboard

/ ˈbækˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a board that is placed behind something to form or support its back
2. a board worn to straighten or support the back, as after surgery
3. (in basketball) a flat upright surface supported on a high frame, under which the basket is attached

Word History and Origins

Origin of backboard¹

First recorded in 1755–65; back ¹ + board

Example Sentences

Or, they could lurk around the backboard, as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman likes to say, in case his market develops differently than expected.

From Los Angeles Times

Lue wanted a better effort on the backboards, which the Clippers did by collecting 41 rebounds to match Utah’s total.

From Los Angeles Times

And Austin Reaves, standing wide open in the corner, shot a three that hit the side of the backboard.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe I shouldn’t have: My first five were airballs before I finally hit the backboard.

From Los Angeles Times

Embiid had the ball in the lane, threw it off the backboard to pass it to himself, rose up and slammed it down with 2:49 remaining in the second quarter.

From Seattle Times