plasterboard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/DIY/Construction
Quick answer
What does “plasterboard” mean?
A rigid panel made of a layer of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two thick sheets of paper, used for constructing interior walls and ceilings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rigid panel made of a layer of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two thick sheets of paper, used for constructing interior walls and ceilings.
The term can refer metonymically to the general process of drywall construction or the state of a building interior being lined with such panels.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: Predominantly 'plasterboard'. US: Predominantly 'drywall', 'sheetrock' (a major brand name used generically), or 'wallboard'. 'Plasterboard' is understood but less common in the US.
Connotations
In the UK, it retains a slight association with the older plaster-and-lath technique it replaced. In the US, 'drywall' strongly connotes modern, fast construction methods.
Frequency
High frequency in UK construction/DIY discourse. Very low frequency in general American English, where 'drywall' is the default.
Grammar
How to Use “plasterboard” in a Sentence
[Verb] + plasterboard + [to/onto Noun Phrase] (fix/screw/nail plasterboard to the studs)[Verb] + [Noun Phrase] + with plasterboard (line the ceiling with plasterboard)[Adjective] + plasterboard (12.5mm plasterboard, standard plasterboard)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “plasterboard” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We decided to plasterboard the loft conversion ourselves.
- The room was plasterboarded in a single day.
American English
- We're going to drywall the basement next weekend.
- He drywalled the entire garage by himself.
adjective
British English
- We had a plasterboard ceiling installed.
- He's a plasterboard contractor.
American English
- The drywall seams needed taping.
- They hired a drywall crew.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In procurement, manufacturing, and construction project specifications (e.g., 'The tender includes 5000 sqm of moisture-resistant plasterboard.').
Academic
Limited to architecture, construction management, or materials science papers discussing building techniques and material properties.
Everyday
Common in DIY and home renovation contexts among UK speakers (e.g., 'We need to buy some plasterboard to finish the garage.').
Technical
The precise term in building regulations, trade manuals, and builder-merchant interactions, specifying types (e.g., 'Use 15mm Fireline plasterboard on the party wall.').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “plasterboard”
- Using 'plasterboard' as a verb in formal writing (better: 'to install plasterboard').
- Pronouncing it as /ˈplæs.tə.bɔːd/ in British English (the first 'a' is long: /ɑː/).
- Confusing 'plasterboard' (the panel) with 'plaster' (the wet finishing material) or 'polyfilla' (filler).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, essentially. 'Plasterboard' is the common UK term, while 'drywall' is the common US term for the same basic product—gypsum panels used for interior walls. 'Sheetrock' is a prominent US brand name often used generically.
Standard plasterboard is not water-resistant and will degrade, swell, and mould if wet. For areas like bathrooms, a specific 'moisture-resistant' or 'water-resistant' plasterboard (often green-faced) should be used, but even this requires proper ventilation and tiling.
'Drywall' contrasts with the older 'wet' plaster methods (lath and plaster). 'Plasterboard' describes its composition: a board with a core of gypsum plaster.
No. Plasterboard is a non-structural, interior cladding material. It provides a surface finish and some fire/sound resistance but must be fixed to a load-bearing frame (timber or metal studs).
A rigid panel made of a layer of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two thick sheets of paper, used for constructing interior walls and ceilings.
Plasterboard is usually technical/diy/construction in register.
Plasterboard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈplɑː.stə.bɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈplæs.tɚ.bɔːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PLASTER' for the smooth, finished wall surface it creates, and 'BOARD' for its rigid, sheet-like form. A board you use to make plastered walls.
Conceptual Metaphor
The wall as a skin or shell (the plasterboard is the surface layer applied over the skeletal frame of the building).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'plasterboard' be LEAST likely to occur in standard American English?