aboard

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

ə-ˈbȯrd How to pronounce aboard (audio)
1
: alongside
2
a
: on, onto, or within a vehicle (such as a car or ship)
b
: in or into a group, association, or organization
her second promotion since coming aboard
3
baseball : on base

aboard

2 of 2

preposition

: on, onto, within
—usually used with reference to vehicles
go aboard ship
aboard a plane

Examples of aboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb or adjective
Navy leaders eventually acknowledged there were some issues aboard. — Julie Watson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Navy leaders, however, eventually acknowledged there were some issues aboard. — Julie Watson, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Preposition
Knockonwood came aboard nearly a decade later through Cinema at Sea. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 The unusual diversion also led to discussion among travelers online, some of whom shared their own experiences with restroom problems aboard flights. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for aboard

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Middle English abord, probably in part borrowed from Middle French a bord, a bort "on board," in part from Middle English a- a- entry 1 + bord "board, side of a ship" — more at board entry 1

Preposition

Middle English abord, derivative of abord aboard entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aboard was in the 14th century

Rhymes for aboard

See All Rhymes for aboard

Browse Nearby Words

abo
aboard
ABO blood group
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aboard. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aboard

1 of 2 adverb
ə-ˈbōrd How to pronounce aboard (audio)
-ˈbȯrd
: on, onto, or within a vehicle (as a car, ship, or airplane)

aboard

2 of 2 preposition
: on or into especially as a passenger
go aboard ship
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