washboard

[ wosh-bawrd, -bohrd, wawsh- ]

noun

1. a rectangular board or frame, typically with a corrugated metallic surface, on which clothes are rubbed in the process of washing.
2. a baseboard around the walls of a room.
3. Also called splashboard. Nautical.
   1. a thin, broad plank fastened to and projecting above the gunwale or side of a boat to keep out the spray and sea.
   2. a similar board on the sill of a port.

adjective

1. resembling a washboard in being rough and bumpy:

   a washboard roadbed.

washboard

/ ˈwɒʃˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a board having a surface, usually of corrugated metal, on which esp formerly, clothes were scrubbed
2. such a board used as a rhythm instrument played with the fingers in skiffle, Country and Western music, etc
3. a less common US word for skirting board
4. nautical
   1. a vertical planklike shield fastened to the gunwales of a boat to prevent water from splashing over the side
   2. Also calledsplashboard a shield under a port for the same purpose

Other Words From

• washboardy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of washboard¹

First recorded in 1735–45; wash + board

Example Sentences

We can marvel at how human Tiana looks, with a carefully sculpted warm face and natural hair, or join in the festivities and smile at the band of critters — pay close attention to the rabbit playing a license plate as a washboard — swaying before us as we float by.

From Los Angeles Times

The Raptor isn’t built so much for climbing tricky terrain — although it can do that, too — as it is crossing dirt, mud, dust and washboard roads at speed.

From Seattle Times

They chased leads from drone pilots and inhaled dust as they rode in the back of pickup trucks barreling down washboard dirt roads.

From New York Times

Cut from Edenic skinny-dipping to radiant Trina at the washboard happily scrubbing Bill’s clothes.

From New York Times

“Oh that sweet definition of my washboard abs/ Singing Indigo Girls in the car with Babs / If I said that I was doing fine / You know I’d be lying / Because I was just Ken/ And now I’m just Ryan,” Gosling lamented as he was interrupted by Blunt.

From Los Angeles Times