Illustration of mortarboard
- mortarboard 1
mortarboard
noun
mor·tar·board
ˈmȯr-tər-ˌbȯrd 
plural mortarboards
1
: an academic cap consisting of a closely fitting headpiece with a broad flat projecting square top
2
a
b
: a square board or platform designed for holding mortar during construction and often measuring about two or three feet (one meter) on each side
Examples of mortarboard in a Sentence
The students donned robes and mortarboards for graduation.
Recent Examples on the Web
In keeping with tradition, New Trier High School seniors eschewed graduation gowns and mortarboards in favor of white dresses for the girls and white jackets and black trousers for the boys at their June 1, 2025 graduation at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates.
—
Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Graduates make their thoughts and humor known with messages on their mortarboards.
—Paul Bersebach, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
And in Pinterest-type moments tailor-made for reality TV, the placemats on the lunch table were made up in the image of flash cards that Kardashian used in her studies and each cup of coffee was garnished with a logo of a 2025 mortarboard.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Some students decorated the tops of their caps or mortarboards.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortarboard
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Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Graduates make their thoughts and humor known with messages on their mortarboards.
—Paul Bersebach, Oc Register, 22 May 2025
And in Pinterest-type moments tailor-made for reality TV, the placemats on the lunch table were made up in the image of flash cards that Kardashian used in her studies and each cup of coffee was garnished with a logo of a 2025 mortarboard.
—Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Some students decorated the tops of their caps or mortarboards.
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for mortarboard
Cite this Entry
“Mortarboard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortarboard. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mortarboard
noun
mor·tar·board
ˈmȯrt-ər-ˌbō(ə)rd
-ˌbȯ(ə)rd
1
: a board used to hold mortar while it is being applied
2
: an academic cap with a broad flat square top and tassel that is worn at graduation and other ceremonies
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