Illustration of mortarboard
- mortarboard 1
mortarboard
noun
mor·tar·board
ˈmȯr-tər-ˌbȯrd 
plural mortarboards
1
: an academic cap consisting of a closely fitting headpiece with a broad flat projecting square top
2
a
b
: a square board or platform designed for holding mortar during construction and often measuring about two or three feet (one meter) on each side
Examples of mortarboard in a Sentence
The students donned robes and mortarboards for graduation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tasselled mortarboards will be tossed in the air in my absence.
—
Alexei Navalny, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
Like graduations across the region, the commencement was full of proud parents, festive emotion and colorful mortarboards — even on a hot day that later reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit in Sacramento.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacramento Bee, 12 June 2024
See what graduates are putting on their mortarboards this year and check out our favorites with a full gallery from multiple commencement ceremonies.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 31 May 2024
The actress posed in her gown and mortarboard, plus two honor stoles, for the big day.
08 of 22
Hank Randall
Kendra Wilkinson's first son is off to high school!
—Tabitha Parent, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for mortarboard 
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Alexei Navalny, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
Like graduations across the region, the commencement was full of proud parents, festive emotion and colorful mortarboards — even on a hot day that later reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit in Sacramento.
—Hector Amezcua, Sacramento Bee, 12 June 2024
See what graduates are putting on their mortarboards this year and check out our favorites with a full gallery from multiple commencement ceremonies.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 31 May 2024
The actress posed in her gown and mortarboard, plus two honor stoles, for the big day.
08 of 22
Hank Randall
Kendra Wilkinson's first son is off to high school!
—Tabitha Parent, Peoplemag, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for mortarboard
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Cite this Entry
“Mortarboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortarboard. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mortarboard
noun
mor·tar·board
ˈmȯrt-ər-ˌbō(ə)rd
-ˌbȯ(ə)rd
1
: a board used to hold mortar while it is being applied
2
: an academic cap with a broad flat square top and tassel that is worn at graduation and other ceremonies
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