Definition

A type of board that is placed at the bottom of a wall where it meets the floor, often used to cover the joint and add a decorative touch.

Example

The carpenter installed a new baseboard in the living room to match the fresh paint.

Conversation

I finally finished painting the living room yesterday.

That's awesome! Did you do anything else while you were at it?

Yeah, I also added a new baseboard to match the color.

Nice! That really ties the whole room together.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Baseboard → It is formed from "base" (from Old French *base*, meaning foundation or bottom) and "board" (from Old English *bord*, meaning a flat piece of wood). The word "baseboard" refers to a board that forms the lower part of a wall, serving as a foundation or finishing touch at the bottom.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'foundation' ('base') that is made of 'wood' ('board') at the bottom of a wall — that's what a baseboard is.

Visually Confused Words