Definition

Noun: A group of people officially appointed to provide counsel, recommendations, and non-binding guidance to a chief administrator, executive, or organization.

Usage

An "advisory board" is a formal committee whose primary function is to offer expert advice and strategic perspective. Its recommendations are typically not legally binding but carry significant weight due to the members' expertise. It is distinct from a governing board of directors, which has legal authority and fiduciary responsibility.

Examples

• The university president formed an advisory board of industry leaders to guide the new engineering program.
• The startup's advisory board provided crucial insights on entering the Asian market.
• She was invited to sit on the museum's advisory board for contemporary art.

Advanced Usage

• "to convene an advisory board": to formally bring the group together for a meeting.
  • The CEO convenes the advisory board quarterly to review financial trends.
• "to seek the counsel of an advisory board": to formally ask the group for its advice.
  • Before the merger, the company sought the counsel of its advisory board.

Variants and Related Words

• Advisory committee: A very similar group, often used interchangeably, though sometimes "committee" implies a group formed for a more specific, short-term purpose.
• Board of advisors: A less common but synonymous phrase.
• Consultative panel: A group assembled for consultation, similar in function but often ad-hoc.

Synonyms

• Consultative body
• Advisory panel
• Advisory council

Related Phrases

• "Serve on an advisory board": To be a member of such a group.
  • He serves on the advisory board for a major environmental nonprofit.
• "Advisory board meeting": A scheduled gathering of the board members.
  • The key decisions were finalized during the last advisory board meeting.

Noun

1. a board appointed to advise the chief administrator