What does boardwalk mean?
A boardwalk is a wooden walkway, usually raised slightly above the ground, built alongside a beach or waterfront so that visitors can stroll comfortably without walking on sand or mud. The term is chiefly North American, and the boardwalk has become an iconic feature of seaside resorts such as Atlantic City and Coney Island, where these promenades are lined with souvenir shops, food vendors, arcades, and amusement rides. Beyond its literal sense, 'boardwalk' carries strong cultural connotations of summer leisure: ice cream, saltwater taffy, carnival games, and evening strolls by the ocean. It also appears figuratively in titles and phrases such as the television series Boardwalk Empire. The word derives simply from 'board' plus 'walk,' reflecting its original construction of wooden planks laid side by side.
nounA wooden walkway built along a beach or waterfront, typically raised on supports, for pedestrians to stroll along. In North America it often refers to a promenade lined with shops, amusements, and food stalls at a seaside resort.
- A wooden walkway along a beach or waterfront, often elevated, used by pedestrians.
- (North American) A seaside promenade lined with shops, amusement rides, food stands, and other attractions.
"They strolled along the boardwalk at sunset, eating saltwater taffy and watching the waves roll in."
"Vendors sold roasted corn and lemonade from carts all along the boardwalk."
"The storm surge buckled several sections of the old boardwalk."
Standard regular plural. Used when referring to multiple such walkways, e.g., across different towns or beaches.
"Hurricane damage forced the closure of boardwalks up and down the Jersey Shore."
The world's first boardwalk was invented in Atlantic City in 1870 — not for fun, but to keep sand out of hotel lobbies and train cars.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of boardwalk
Boardwalk is a transparent compound of two native English words: 'board' (from Old English 'bord', meaning a plank or flat piece of timber) and 'walk' (from Old English 'wealcan', to roll or tread). The compound arose in the United States in the mid-19th century; the famous Atlantic City boardwalk opened in 1870 and helped fix the word in American usage. Related compounds sharing the same elements include sidewalk, catwalk, and crosswalk, all formed on the same pattern of a surface-plus-path construction.
Related word forms
How boardwalk is actually used
The word is originally American, dating to the mid-19th century. In British English, 'promenade' or 'seafront' is more common for a similar concept. The plural is simply 'boardwalks.'
Easily confused with boardwalk
A boulevard is a broad paved urban street or avenue, whereas a boardwalk is a wooden pedestrian walkway, typically beside a beach.
A boardroom is a room where a company's directors meet; it shares the 'board' element but has nothing to do with wooden seaside walkways.