Blackboard

//ˈblækbɔɹd// noun, verb

noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A large flat surface, finished with black slate or a similar material, that can be written upon with chalk and subsequently erased; a chalkboard.

    "Drawings and pictures are more than mere ornaments in scientific discourse. Blackboard sketches, geological maps, diagrams of molecular structure, astronomical photographs, MRI images, the many varieties of statistical charts and graphs: These pictorial devices are indispensable tools for presenting evidence, for explaining a theory, for telling a story."

  2. 2
    sheet of slate; for writing with chalk wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To use a blackboard to assist in an informal discussion.

Synonyms

All synonyms
chalkchalkboardchalkboardinkmaterial

Example

More examples

"Compare your translation with the one on the blackboard."

Etymology

From black + board, because such surfaces were once typically made of black slate.

Related phrases

blackboard boldblackboard jungle

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.