boards
n.-
1 flat pieces of wood (n.) A2 Elementarymore than one long, flat piece of cut wood used for building.
plural of board; multiple pieces of sawn timber used in construction or flooring.
ExampleWe bought several wooden boards to build a new fence in the garden.
ExampleThe carpenter carefully selected the straightest boards from the stack to ensure the floor would be perfectly level.
- planks
- timber
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2 theatre stage (n.) C1 Advanced Informal Literary Theatrethe stage in a theatre where actors perform.
the stage of a theatre; often used in the idiom 'to tread the boards'.
ExampleThe young actor was nervous the first time he stepped onto the boards.
ExampleAfter decades of treading the boards in London, the veteran actress decided to retire from the stage and teach drama.
UsageUsually used with the definite article 'the'.
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3 professional exams (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate American Englishimportant exams you take to enter a college or to get a license for a job.
standardised examinations administered for university admission or professional certification.
ExampleShe spent all summer studying so she could pass her medical boards.
ExampleThe students were under immense pressure as the date for the college entrance boards approached.
Teacher's tipCommonly used in the US for medical, legal, or educational entrance exams.
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4 ice hockey rink walls (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sportthe low walls around an ice hockey rink that keep the puck inside.
the vertical structure surrounding an ice hockey rink, used to contain the puck and players.
ExampleThe player was pushed against the boards during a fast play.
ExampleThe puck took a strange bounce off the boards, catching the goalkeeper out of position and leading to a goal.
See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.
From College Board tests.