sounding board

noun

1
a
: a structure behind or over a pulpit, rostrum, or platform to give distinctness and sonority to sound
b
: a device or agency that helps propagate opinions or utterances
c
: a person or group on whom one tries out an idea or opinion as a means of evaluating it
2

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The Literal Origins of Sounding Board

Beginning during the Renaissance, a flat wooden canopy called a sounding board was placed over church pulpits, amplifying the sound of the preacher's voice, carrying it to the farthest reaches of the church. Similarly, ideas can be spread by a figurative sounding board. A publication, for example, can be a sounding board for propaganda. That's one modern sense of the word. But when sound bounces off a literal sounding board, not only does it reach more people, it also comes across more clearly. Likewise, bouncing ideas off another person can lend clarity to one's thought processes. If someone comes to you and says "How does this sound?" and leaves with his or her mind made up (whether or not you've ventured a word), you have served as a very effective sounding board.

Examples of sounding board in a Sentence

My friend is my sounding board for new ideas.
Recent Examples on the Web The two had met in 2004, when Jason Schwartzman introduced Jonze to Leon at a Christmas party, and the pair quickly developed a close bond, becoming one another’s artistic sounding boards. Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024 In the worst case, the CFO can serve as a sounding board to the CEO. Steven Wasserman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Likewise, Film Independent’s current advisory board is comprised of film industry executives, creatives and thought leaders who function as a sounding board for the board of directors and executive leadership. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 25 Jan. 2024 More:Who is Pat McAfee and how did his show become a sounding board for Aaron Rodgers? Journal Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024 Having a listening group as a sounding board of directors turns the sprawl of music history into a rolling conversation with friends, a renewable resource, an endless delight. Tim Davis, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2024 The musician has also used his platform as a sounding board for political takes. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2024 Is there a mentor or sounding board or an inspiration? Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023 Two artists in particular, Frank Ocean and Tyler, the Creator, served as a sounding board for the record. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sounding board.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sounding board was in 1729

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Cite this Entry

“Sounding board.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sounding%20board. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sounding board

noun
1
: a structure behind or over a speaker's platform to make sound uttered from it clear
2
: a means for helping to spread opinions
3
: a person or group on whom new ideas or opinions are tested

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