plural dashboards
1
: a panel extending across the interior of a vehicle (such as an automobile) below the windshield and usually containing instruments and controls
If something internal is wrong with your car, the dashboard will display an icon identifying the problem.—Aaron Widmar
Abdullah sang along to the songs; I kept the rhythm by clapping my hands and drumming on the dashboard.—Emma Sky
2
: a graphical report (as on a website) of various data relevant to a particular business, group, etc.
… other dashboards that are available for first-year applicants include information on admission by source school …—Daily Californian
The dashboard provides data on regional, local and campus trends regarding COVID-19 testing, results and cases. The dashboard is updated each weekday with data from several different sources, including the campus testing program and self-reports by students and faculty.—Alex Perry
Emory Police Department (EPD) will implement a dashboard of the department's data, including the status and findings of investigations and the demographics of those involved …—Ninad Kulkarni
The RTA [Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois] uses maps and dashboards to visualize revenue, ridership, and service availability at a regional scale.—Terry Bills
3
: a screen on the front of a usually horse-drawn vehicle to intercept water, mud, or snow

Examples of dashboard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The mobile app opens to a dashboard screen with Arm and Disarm buttons and a tab that shows any system issues. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026 Anyone who’s driven a vehicle has had an error light pop up on the dashboard at some point. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 The dashboard collects information on energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water use, waste management, workforce demographics and renewable-energy installations. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026 There is a wall with removable dashboard panels across the color spectrum and a couple of miniature models of the cab with tiny, colored panels to help customers decide on the details. — Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dashboard

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of dashboard was in 1842

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dashboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dashboard. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

dashboard

noun
1
: a screen on the front of a usually horse-pulled vehicle to keep out water, mud, or snow
2
: a panel across an automobile or airplane below the windshield usually containing dials and controls

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