onboard
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to help a new employee start their job by giving them the training and tools they need.
v.to integrate a new employee into an organisation through training and orientation. Transitive — takes the person being integrated as the object.
Simple“The company will onboard five new engineers next Monday morning.”
In context“The human resources department has developed a comprehensive digital portal to onboard remote employees more efficiently during the first week of their contract.”
UsageOften used in corporate environments to describe the formal process of hiring and training.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to help a new customer or user start using a product or service.
v.to facilitate the initial experience of a new user or client with a product, service, or platform.
Simple“The app makes it very easy to onboard new users in just two minutes.”
In context“The fintech startup focused on reducing friction when they onboard new clients to ensure a higher retention rate during the trial period.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.available or located inside a car, plane, ship, or other vehicle.
adj.situated or carried within a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft. Usually placed before the noun.
Simple“Most modern cars come with an onboard navigation system.”
In context“The aircraft is equipped with sophisticated onboard diagnostics that alert the ground crew to potential mechanical issues before the plane even lands.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adv.on or inside a vehicle or ship.
adv.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.
Simple“The captain welcomed the passengers as they came onboard.”
In context“Once all the cargo was safely secured onboard, the vessel began its journey across the Atlantic.”
“It said there were seven people onboard – six passengers and the pilot.”
“But it's short range, so the company also plans to add AI-powered cameras, its first real use of AI onboard.”
From on board, equivalent to on- + board.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.