washboard

/ˈwɑʃˌbɔrd/
noun
  1. A board with a ridged surface, used in the past for scrubbing laundry by hand.
    • Before washing machines, people used a washboard to clean their clothes.
    • The old washboard hung on the wall as a decoration in the laundry room.
    • She scrubbed the shirt against the washboard until the stain came out.
  2. A musical instrument made from a ridged board, played by scraping it with a stick or thimble.
    • The band's washboard player kept a lively rhythm during the folk song.
    • He learned to play the washboard by watching old jug band videos.
    • At the festival, a musician used a washboard and spoons to make percussion.
  3. A ridged surface on a road or path that causes a bumpy ride.
    • Driving over the washboard made the car shake and rattle.
    • They slowed down to avoid the worst of the washboard on the gravel path.
    • The dirt road had turned into a washboard after the heavy rains.
What does "washboard" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean