backboard

noun

back·​board ˈbak-ˌbȯrd 

1

: a board placed at or serving as the back of something

especially : a rounded or rectangular board behind the basket on a basketball court which serves to keep missed shots from going out-of-bounds and from which the ball can be made to rebound into the basket

2

: a stiff board on which an injured person and especially one with neck or spinal injuries is placed and immobilized in order to prevent further injury during transport

Examples of backboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Together, Pinterest and the New York Liberty will also join forces to promote initiatives such as National Girls and Women in Sports Day and refurbish basketball backboards at local courts in New York. —Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 30 May 2025

The company website says players of all ages and abilities can try to make baskets off angled and brightly colored backboards. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

Thunder guard Jalen Williams attempted a heave from deep in his half as time expired, but the ball hit the backboard and bounced away, sparking wild celebrations from the Denver squad. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 6 May 2025

The fan was placed onto a backboard, loaded onto a medical cart and transported out the stadium to a hospital. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 4 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for backboard

• abroad
• applaud
• ballade
• defraud
• ephod
• facade
• guffawed
• outlawed
• ramrod
• roughshod
• slipshod
• tripod

Kids Definition

backboard

noun

back·​board ˈbak-ˌbōrd 

-ˌbȯrd

: a board placed at the back or serving as a back

especially : a rounded or rectangular board behind the basket on a basketball court

Medical Definition

backboard

noun

back·​board -ˌbȯrd 

: a stiff board on which an injured person and especially one with neck or spinal injuries is placed and immobilized in order to prevent further injury during transport