# board out

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/board-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to arrange for someone, like a child or a pet, to live and eat away from home for a while.

For teachers: to arrange for a person or animal to receive food and lodging at another person's house or a specialized facility, often for a fee.

## Examples

- We had to board out our dog while we were on vacation.
- During the summer months, many families in the city used to board out their children at farms in the countryside.
- The local council decided to board out the orphaned children with foster families rather than keeping them in the overcrowded central infirmary.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They boarded out of the cat." but "They boarded out the cat." — do not use 'of' after the particle 'out' when the phrase takes a direct object.

## Usage notes

- this phrase is often used in historical contexts or when discussing the care of animals.
- Teaching tip: connect this to the noun 'boarding school' or the phrase 'room and board' to help students understand that 'board' refers to providing meals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.