Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long, thin wooden board with one edge thicker than the other: This type of board is used as an exterior siding for buildings. The boards are installed horizontally, with the thicker edge of one board overlapping the thinner edge of the board below it.

2. Verb:

   • To cover or fit with clapboards: The action of installing these wooden boards on the exterior of a structure.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The old house was covered in weathered white clapboard.*
  • They chose cedar clapboard for the new addition to match the original architecture.

• Verb:

  • They decided to clapboard the cottage to give it a more traditional look.*
  • The carpenters will clapboard the entire facade next week.

Advanced Usage

• "Clapboard siding": A common phrase specifying the material's use as an exterior covering.

  • Clapboard siding is common in New England homes.

• "Clapboard house": Describes a house whose exterior is made of this material.

  • The street was lined with charming clapboard houses.

Variants and Related Words

• Weatherboard (chiefly British English): A synonym for clapboard, referring to the same type of siding board.
• Siding (noun): The general term for any material used to cover the exterior walls of a building. Clapboard is one type of siding.
• Bevel siding: Another technical term for clapboard, describing the angled, overlapping profile.

Synonyms

• Weatherboard (noun, verb)
• Lap siding (noun)

Notes on Different Meanings

• The term "clapboard" is almost exclusively used in the context of building construction and architecture. It does not have other common, unrelated meanings.
• In historical contexts, it specifically refers to wooden siding. Modern versions can be made from materials like vinyl or composite, but are still designed to imitate traditional wooden clapboard.

Noun

1. a long thin board with one edge thicker than the other; used as siding by lapping one board over the board below

Verb

1. cover with clapboards