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Definition of cardboard

cardboard

/ˈkɑːrd.bɔːrd/
card · board
Plural:cardboards
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cardboard Lexical Profile

cardboard Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A stiff, thick, and heavy type of paper or paperboard, typically used for making boxes, signs, and packaging.

Example

"We spent the afternoon breaking down empty cardboard boxes after unpacking all our kitchen supplies."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cardboard

• Rhymes for cardboard

• Nearby Words

carcinogenic
card
cardamom
cardboard
cardholder
cardiac
cardiff

Word Origin & Etymology

Originated in the late 17th century as a compound of 'card' (thick paper) and 'board' (a flat piece of material), initially referring to the stiff material used to make playing cards and later adapted for general packaging.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cardboard. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cardboard
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