From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishthe boardsthe boards[plural]APT the stage in a theatre → tread the boards at tread1(7) → board
Examples from the Corpus
the boards• However, as materials supplies improved in the mid-1950s, the Boards increased their expenditure on standardisation.• Though the Raiders gave up some height on the boards, they outrebounded Pace 38-30.• Spray on woodworm fluid following the manufacturer's advice, and replace the boards and then spray the top surface.• Sometimes the boards at the front seem to extend huge leads over the rest of the fleet.• Above him rivulets of mud slid through the boards of the roof.• All that remains is to wrap the covering material round and glue it down to the boards. 