: carried within or occurring aboard a vehicle (such as a satellite or an automobile)
an onboard computer
onboard recorders

on board

2 of 2

phrase

1
: aboard
2
: in support of a particular objective
needed to get more senators on board for the bill to pass

Examples of onboard in a Sentence

Adjective The car comes with an onboard computer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Unmanned vessels could potentially carry additional missile capacity without requiring the same onboard crew arrangements as conventional warships. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026 As there isn’t a scarcity of space and resources, everyone onboard is calmer, kinder—civility returns to the sky. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026
Phrase
The golden age of voyages on board tramp steamers and banana boats was the first half of the 20th century. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 The estate’s decision to bring Danielle on board follows reports revealing Parton’s real cause of death. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onboard

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of onboard was in 1958

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Onboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onboard. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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