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
The materials provide consistent feedback from the ball and are more durable than acrylic or polycarbonate backboards.
—
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Stewart got a good contest on Bridget Carleton’s initial go-ahead attempt, and the shot bounced off the backboard.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Vanderbilt had swiped at Holmgren's dunk attempt from behind and hit his finger on the backboard.
—ABC News, 5 May 2026
So after Philadelphia kept surrendering offensive rebounds in the first four games, the Sixers have been terrific on the defensive backboard in Games 5 and 6.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for backboard
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Stewart got a good contest on Bridget Carleton’s initial go-ahead attempt, and the shot bounced off the backboard.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
Vanderbilt had swiped at Holmgren's dunk attempt from behind and hit his finger on the backboard.
—ABC News, 5 May 2026
So after Philadelphia kept surrendering offensive rebounds in the first four games, the Sixers have been terrific on the defensive backboard in Games 5 and 6.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for backboard
Cite this Entry
“Backboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backboard. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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