n. 1 a canopy over a pulpit etc. to direct sound towards the congregation. 2 = SOUNDBOARD. 3 a a means of causing opinions etc. to be more widely known (used his students as a sounding-board). b a person etc. used as a trial audience.
SOUNDINGBOARD
Meaning of SOUNDINGBOARD in English
Concise Oxford English dictionary. Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка. 2012