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REFERENCE

onboard

v. · adj. · adv.
US //ˈɑnˌbɔɹd// on·board
  1. 1 to integrate a new employee (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Formal

    to help a new employee start their job by giving them the training and tools they need.

    to integrate a new employee into an organisation through training and orientation. Transitive — takes the person being integrated as the object.

    Example

    The company will onboard five new engineers next Monday morning.

    Example

    The human resources department has developed a comprehensive digital portal to onboard remote employees more efficiently during the first week of their contract.

    Usage

    Often used in corporate environments to describe the formal process of hiring and training.
    • offboard
  2. 2 to sign up a new customer (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    to help a new customer or user start using a product or service.

    to facilitate the initial experience of a new user or client with a product, service, or platform.

    Example

    The app makes it very easy to onboard new users in just two minutes.

    Example

    The fintech startup focused on reducing friction when they onboard new clients to ensure a higher retention rate during the trial period.
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  1. 3 located inside a vehicle (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    available or located inside a car, plane, ship, or other vehicle.

    situated or carried within a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft. Usually placed before the noun.

    Example

    Most modern cars come with an onboard navigation system.

    Example

    The aircraft is equipped with sophisticated onboard diagnostics that alert the ground crew to potential mechanical issues before the plane even lands.
  2. 4 on a vehicle (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Technical

    on or inside a vehicle or ship.

    positioned on or within a vehicle or vessel. Often written as two words ('on board') in general contexts, but 'onboard' is common in technical or American English usage.

    Example

    The captain welcomed the passengers as they came onboard.

    Example

    Once all the cargo was safely secured onboard, the vessel began its journey across the Atlantic.
Origin

From on board, equivalent to on- + board.

Word family

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