shipboard

American  

[ship-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈʃɪpˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

1. Archaic.

   1. the deck or side of a ship.

   2. the situation of being on a ship.

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adjective

1. done, conducted, or designed for use aboard ship, especially during an ocean voyage.

   a shipboard romance; a shipboard telephone.

idioms

1. on shipboard, aboard a seagoing vessel.

shipboard British  

/ ˈʃɪpˌbɔːd /

noun

1. (modifier) taking place, used, or intended for use aboard a ship

   a shipboard encounter

2. on board a ship

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Etymology

Origin of shipboard

First recorded in 1150–1200; late Middle English shipbord; replacing Middle English shipesbord; ship ¹, board,

Example Sentences

Shares of cruise operators surged in sync again on Thursday, enough to stand out as market leaders, as investors bet that lower interest rates put consumers in a better position to plan shipboard vacations.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

An executive order from President Trump and proposed bipartisan legislation aim to resurrect America’s maritime industry across shipbuilding, ship ownership and shipboard staffing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

After illegally emigrating to the United States as a shipboard stowaway, the Colonel adopted the name Tom Parker, eventually finding work as a promoter with a traveling carnival.

From Salon • Aug. 8, 2025

He learned of the atomic attack on Hiroshima from a shipboard broadcast.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 2025

One week in Wethersfield seemed to have changed the dignified young man she had known on shipboard.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare