clipboard

Everyday

1. A flat board with a metal clip at the top that holds sheets of paper, so you can write while standing or walking. tree →
2. (computers) The hidden place in a computer or phone that stores what you have copied or cut until you paste it. tree →

In the lessons

In school, clipboards are used on field trips, nature walks and surveys to make tally charts. In computing lessons, «copy to the clipboard» then «paste» moves text or pictures. In stories, a person with a clipboard is often an official or organiser. It tells the reader about writing on the move or copying and pasting.

Examples

• Each group took a clipboard on the minibeast hunt. tree →
• We did a traffic survey with tally marks on our clipboards. tree →
• The coach held a clipboard with the team list. tree →
• Press Ctrl and C to copy the text to the clipboard. tree →
• The clipboard keeps only the last thing you copied. tree →
• A woman with a clipboard asked us questions about the park. tree →

Note

Countable: a clipboard, clipboards. Compound word: clip + board. Computing tip: be careful copying passwords — they may stay on the clipboard where others could paste them.