boards

1. A relatively long, wide and thin piece of any material, usually wood or similar, often for use in construction or furniture-making.
2. A device (e.g., switchboard) containing electrical switches and other controls and designed to control lights, sound, telephone connections, etc.
3. A flat surface with markings for playing a board game.

   Each player starts the game with four counters on the board.

4. Short for blackboard, whiteboard, chessboard, surfboard, message board (on the Internet), etc.
5. A committee that manages the business of an organization, e.g., a board of directors.

   We have to wait to hear back from the board.

6. Regular meals or the amount paid for them in a place of lodging.

   Room and board

7. The side of a ship.
8. The distance a sailing vessel runs between tacks when working to windward.
9. The wall that surrounds an ice hockey rink, often in plural.
10. A long, narrow table, like that used in a medieval dining hall.
11. Paper made thick and stiff like a board, for book covers, etc.; pasteboard.

    to bind a book in boards

12. A level or stage having a particular layout.
13. A container for holding pre-dealt cards that is used to allow multiple sets of players to play the same cards.

noun

A rebound.

1. (with "the") A stage (as in a theater).
2. Structure around a rink for ice hockey.
3. A hardcover binding on a book.

   His new novel just came out in boards. The paperback will follow in about a year.

1. To step or climb onto or otherwise enter a ship, aircraft, train or other conveyance.

   It is time to board the aircraft.

2. To provide someone with meals and lodging, usually in exchange for money.

   to board one's horse at a livery stable

3. To receive meals and lodging in exchange for money.
4. To capture an enemy ship by going alongside and grappling her, then invading her with a boarding party
5. To obtain meals, or meals and lodgings, statedly for compensation
6. To approach (someone); to make advances to, accost.
7. To cover with boards or boarding.

   to board a house

8. To hit (someone) with a wooden board.
9. To write something on a board, especially a blackboard or whiteboard.

noun

Examinations given for entry to college or to qualify for a profession.