a small writing board with a clip at the top for holding papers
"The teacher held up her clipboard to show us the list of names before we entered the classroom."
A flat piece of rigid material, such as card or plastic, with a clip at one end under which papers can be held.
"The teacher pinned the worksheet to her clipboard so it wouldn't blow away during the outdoor lesson."
In plain English: A clipboard is a flat board with a clip on top used to hold papers so they don't fall off while you are working or moving around.
"The teacher placed her lesson plan on the clipboard before walking into the classroom to take attendance."
Usage: A clipboard is used to hold loose sheets of paper in place while you write on them, making it ideal for taking notes during meetings or surveys. Unlike a binder that secures multiple pages together, this simple tool keeps individual documents stable without requiring binding holes.
This word is a straightforward combination of clip and board, describing an object designed to hold papers securely with metal fasteners. It entered English as a practical term for the office tool we use today without undergoing any significant change in meaning over time.