clipboard

American

[klip-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈklɪpˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

a small board having at the top a clip for holding papers and serving as a portable writing surface.

clipboard British

/ ˈklɪpˌbɔːd /

noun

a portable writing board with a spring clip at the top for holding paper
a temporary storage area in desktop publishing where text or graphics are held after the cut command or the copy command

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of clipboard

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10; clip ² + board

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Near them, a table hosted three clipboards fat with paperwork for new members to fill.

From Los Angeles Times

As the chefs slave over their pots, five judges patrol the aisles with clipboards, making notes on their recipes and techniques.

From Barron's

“You’ve got five-time Olympic gold medalists, the best known skaters in history calling out splits and holding clipboards,” said Joey Cheek, a former Olympic champion.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Esposito dropped her clipboard on her seat, and everyone moved toward the back to save Teddy, even the bus driver.

From Literature

She was clearly a kid, but she held that clipboard with such authority.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023