board member

USAGE SUMMARY

"board member" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a member of a board of directors or trustees. For example, "The board member proposed a new strategy for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Board Member, Invest NI.

Independent

board member.

The New York Times - Sports

He's an expensive board member.

The New York Times

Mr. Cooper will remain a board member.

The New York Times

Longstanding board member of the NYSAVA.

The New York Times

Esteemed and longtime SCAN board member.

The New York Times

That board member, Brig.

The New York Times

Board member, Circle Housing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A related issue is board-member worthiness.

The New York Times

Longtime New Jersey Y Camp Board member.

The New York Times

Time Warner Cable board member N.J.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "board member" when the individual's role is primarily that of a member of the board, rather than an executive or employee.

Common error

Avoid using "board member" interchangeably with "shareholder". A shareholder owns stock in a company, while a "board member" is elected to govern the company, though they may also be shareholders.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "board member" functions as a noun, specifically identifying an individual who is part of a governing body within an organization. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "board member" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote an individual serving on the board of an organization. As affirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to identify a specific role within formal structures. Ludwig's examples show it is frequently used in news, science, and business contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. The phrase is often used interchangeably with "director" and "trustee", though context may dictate the more appropriate term. When writing about "board members", be clear about their specific roles and avoid confusing them with shareholders.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

member of the board

Rephrases the term with a slightly more formal structure, emphasizing the individual's affiliation with the board.

director

A more concise and professional term for a "board member", particularly in corporate settings.

trustee

Refers to a "board member" in non-profit or charitable organizations, indicating a fiduciary responsibility.

governing board member

Emphasizes the role of the "board member" in the overall governance and decision-making of the organization.

executive board member

Highlights a "board member" who also holds an executive position within the organization.

non-executive director

Specifies a "board member" who does not have executive responsibilities within the company.

council member

Similar to "board member" but used more often in municipal and regional governance structures.

committee member

A broader term that may include "board members" participating in specific committees.

oversight board member

Indicates a board focused on the oversight and accountability of an organization's activities.

advisory board member

Describes a "board member" who provides advice and guidance without direct decision-making power.

FAQs

How can I use "board member" in a sentence?

You can use "board member" to describe someone who sits on the board of directors of an organization. For example, "The "board member" proposed a new marketing strategy."

What's the difference between a "board member" and a director?

The terms "board member" and "director" are often used interchangeably, particularly in corporate contexts. However, "board member" is a more general term, while "director" specifically refers to a member of a company's board of directors.

What is another term for "board member" in a non-profit organization?

In a non-profit organization, a "board member" is frequently referred to as a "trustee", which emphasizes their fiduciary duty to the organization.

Is it correct to say "board member" or "member of the board"?

Both "board member" and "member of the board" are correct and commonly used. "Board member" is slightly more concise, while "member of the board" provides a slightly more formal tone.