IPA: /ˈhɑːrdˌbɔːrd/
KK: /ˈhɑrdˌbɔrd/
A type of board made from compressed wood fibers, often used in construction and furniture making.
The carpenter used hardboard to create a smooth surface for the cabinet.
Hardboard is formed from "hard" (from Old English "heard", meaning firm or solid) and "board" (from Old English "bord", meaning a flat piece of material). The word "hardboard" refers to a type of board that is firm and solid in structure.
Think of something that is 'firm' ('hard') and 'flat' ('board') — that's what hardboard is, a solid flat material.