What does dartboard mean?
A dartboard is a flat, circular target used in the game of darts, conventionally divided into twenty numbered wedge-shaped sections along with rings for doubles, triples, and the central bullseye. The board is hung at a regulated height — just under six feet to the bullseye — and players throw small metal-tipped or soft-tipped darts at it from a set distance. Dartboards appear most often in pubs, clubs, arcades, and home games rooms, making the word firmly part of casual, recreational vocabulary. The standard 'clock' layout of numbers is credited to Brian Gamlin in the late nineteenth century, arranged so that high-value segments are flanked by low ones to penalize inaccurate throws. Beyond its literal sense, the word occasionally serves figuratively, describing a person or thing that becomes the focus of repeated attacks or criticism. It is a simple compound noun with no other grammatical forms.
nounA circular board marked with numbered segments, used as the target in the game of darts, typically hung on a wall with players throwing small missiles at it.
- A circular marked board used as the target in the game of darts.
"He nailed the dartboard to the back of the garage door and practiced every evening."
"The pub had a well-worn dartboard mounted on the wall beside the bar."
"Her throw landed just outside the triple twenty on the dartboard."
The plural is uncommon but normal when referring to multiple boards, such as in shops, tournaments, or manufacturers' catalogues.
"The tournament hall was lined with twelve electronic dartboards."
The standard dartboard's numbering was designed so that poorly aimed throws are punished — the highest numbers sit between low-scoring segments.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dartboard
Dartboard is a straightforward English compound formed from 'dart', which traces back through Middle French 'dard' (a throwing spear) ultimately to a Germanic root meaning a swinging or thrusting weapon, combined with 'board', from Old English 'bord' meaning a plank or flat surface. The compound arose naturally once darts became an organized indoor pastime, likely in the nineteenth century as the modern standardized target developed alongside pub gaming culture. Its cognates lie chiefly in the Germanic and Romance words for throwing weapons, such as the French 'dard'.
How dartboard is actually used
An everyday, informal word most often encountered in contexts of pubs, games rooms, and recreational sport. The compound is fully transparent and carries no figurative weight in general usage, though 'the dartboard' is sometimes invoked metaphorically for something people aim criticism at.
Easily confused with dartboard
A dart is the small pointed missile that is thrown, whereas a dartboard is the fixed target at which darts are thrown.