Word
aboard
US/əˈbɔɹd/
UK/ɐbˈɔːd/
Adverb of place
Definitions
01on a vehicle
B1 · Intermediate
prep. on or into a ship, train, plane, or bus.
prep. on or onto a large passenger vehicle, such as a ship, aircraft, or train.
“The captain welcomed the passengers aboard the ship as they arrived.”
“Once all the cargo was secured, the crew stepped aboard the vessel and prepared to depart for the open sea.”
Usage
Always followed by a noun phrase representing the vehicle.
Antonyms
02on a vehicle
B1 · Intermediate
adv. on or into a vehicle, used without naming the vehicle again.
adv. positioned within or onto a vehicle; functions as an adverb when the vehicle is understood from context.
“The train was about to leave, so we quickly climbed aboard.”
“The flight attendant signaled that the doors were closing and no more passengers would be allowed aboard.”
Usage
Used alone after a verb of motion or position.
Synonyms
03joining a team
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adv. joining a new group, team, or company.
adv. metaphorical use indicating the start of a person's membership in an organisation or project.
“We are happy to have a new designer aboard for this project.”
“The CEO spent the morning welcoming the new recruits aboard, emphasizing the company's commitment to innovation.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'welcome aboard'.
Teaching tip
This is very common in business English when a new employee starts their first day.
04on base
C1 · Advanced Sports American English
adv. in baseball, when a player is standing on a base.
adv. referring to a runner who is safely occupying a base.
“With two runners aboard, the next batter hit a home run.”
“The pitcher struggled with his control, eventually leaving three runners aboard for the relief pitcher to deal with.”
Usage
Usually occurs in the phrase 'runners aboard'.
Etymology
From Middle English abord, from a- (“on”) + bord (“board, side of a ship”); equivalent to a- + board.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/aboard