Phrase guide

on board

adj · intj · prep · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Joining in or participating.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • Is that new teammate properly on board yet?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Agreeing or supporting.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • It's a good idea, but let's see if we can get a few more of the management team on board.
  • Without management on board, the project has little chance of success.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Into itself or oneself.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

intj

Meaning 4

The stereotypical cry of pirates when boarding a ship for close quarters combat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

prep

Meaning 5

On or in (a means of transportation).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • On board his boat were various firearms but not much food.
  • Even when I am on board the plane, I can never feel secure that my luggage is, too.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adverb

Meaning 6

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: aboard

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Originally a literal reference to the wooden boards of the deck of a boat or ship.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: aan boord — on or in a means of transportation
  • Finnish: kyydissä — on or in a means of transportation
  • French: à bord de — on or in a means of transportation
  • German: an Bord — on or in a means of transportation
  • Greek: εν πλω (en plo) — on or in a means of transportation
  • Irish: ar bord — on or in a means of transportation
  • Italian: a bordo — on or in a means of transportation
  • Norman: à bord — on or in a means of transportation
  • Norwegian: om bord — on or in a means of transportation
  • Old Norse: innbyrðis — on or in a means of transportation
  • Polish: na pokładzie — on or in a means of transportation
  • Russian: на борту́ (na bortú) — on or in a means of transportation
  • Scottish Gaelic: air bòrd — on or in a means of transportation
  • Spanish: a bordo — on or in a means of transportation
  • Swedish: ombord — on or in a means of transportation
  • Yiddish: אויפֿן באָרט (oyfn bort) — on or in a means of transportation
  • Finnish: vallatkaa laiva — Translations
  • French: à l'abordage — Translations
  • Italian: all'arrembaggio — Translations
  • Polish: na pokład! — Translations