blackboard

noun

black·​board ˈblak-ˌbȯrd How to pronounce blackboard (audio)
: a hard smooth usually dark surface used especially in a classroom for writing or drawing on with chalk

Examples of blackboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Image Image And unlike pop-culture portrayals of theoretical physicists — solitarily scribbling away on blackboards, enveloped in clouds of chalk dust — Dr. Massey likes working with people. Katrina Miller, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 In honor of her childhood, James has outfitted Cultural DC’s Mobile Art Gallery to evoke a D.C. school, with a tiled floor and walls that look like blackboards, complete with words and simple drawings rendered in white marks. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 The teacher had asked his pupils to step up to the blackboard and describe a scene from nature. Hazlitt, 28 Feb. 2024 According to a press release, customers will be able to play pool, sit in Moe’s office, write their punishments on the blackboard and more. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 Sugrue would get through almost all his blackboard notes every class, proceeding entirely on audience initiative. John Byron Kuhner, National Review, 3 Feb. 2024 Not much else counted as decor, save for the massive blackboard on the wall listing the menu’s seven or so options and their many ingredients. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 Roberts and Paulsen designed their model on blackboards at Dartmouth College. Dan Rockmore, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024 One side is designed for drawing or painting, while the other has a blackboard for chalk creations. Korin Miller, wsj.com, 15 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blackboard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blackboard was in 1739

Dictionary Entries Near blackboard

Cite this Entry

“Blackboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blackboard. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

blackboard

noun
black·​board ˈblak-ˌbō(ə)rd How to pronounce blackboard (audio)
-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

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