Phrase guide

sounding board

noun · 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

noun

Meaning 1

A thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument and serves to reinforce its sound.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A structure that reflects sound towards the intended listeners. Abatsons.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Any device or means used to spread an idea or point of view.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A person, or group, whose reactions to a new idea or proposal serve to assess its acceptability.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

(music) resonator consisting of a thin board whose vibrations reinforce the sound of the instrument

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: soundboard

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: resonator, cavity resonator, resonating chamber

6

noun

Meaning 6

a person whose reactions to something serve as an indication of its acceptability

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • I would use newspapermen as a sounding board for such policies

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: person, individual, someone, somebody, mortal, soul

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: резонатор (rezonator) — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • Dutch: klankbord — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • Finnish: kaikupohja — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • French: table d'harmonie — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • Irish: fuaimchlár — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • Latvian: skaņgaldiņš — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • Polish: płyta rezonansowa — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • Swedish: resonansbotten — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • Swedish: klangbotten — thin board that forms part of the resonating chamber of a musical instrument
  • Catalan: tornaveu — structure that reflects sound towards the intended listeners
  • Finnish: kaikutausta — structure that reflects sound towards the intended listeners
  • French: abat-voix — structure that reflects sound towards the intended listeners
  • Spanish: tornavoz — structure that reflects sound towards the intended listeners
  • Finnish: sanansaattaja — device or means used to spread an idea
  • Finnish: kaikupohja — person or group serving to assess acceptability of a new idea
  • Irish: bonn braite — person or group serving to assess acceptability of a new idea
  • Swedish: bollplank — person or group serving to assess acceptability of a new idea