1A signboard or sign displayed outside a shop or business to show its name, information, or advertising.
店の前に大きな看板が立っている。
There's a large sign standing in front of the shop.
看板の文字が古くなって読みにくい。
The lettering on the sign has faded and is hard to read.
あのラーメン屋の看板を見て入ってみた。
I saw that ramen shop's sign and decided to go in.
看板には「本日休業」と書かれていた。
The sign read 'Closed today.'
2A featured attraction—such as a shop's signature product, or a person seen as the face/star of a group or business.
このカフェの看板メニューはチーズケーキだ。
This café's signature menu item is cheesecake.
彼女はそのチームの看板選手として活躍している。
She is active as the star player of that team.
新人のアイドルがグループの看板になった。
The new idol became the face of the group.
3The reputation or standing of a shop or organization, as in the phrase 店の看板を守る (protecting the shop's reputation).
スタッフの態度が悪いと、店の看板に傷がつく。
If staff behave poorly, it damages the shop's reputation.
創業百年の看板を守るため、品質にこだわっている。
To uphold their 100-year reputation, they are committed to quality.
4Outward appearance without real substance—used in expressions like 看板倒れ (all show, no substance).
見た目は立派だが中身は看板倒れだった。
It looked impressive, but it was all show and no substance.
あの計画は看板だけで、実際には進んでいない。
That plan is all for show; nothing is actually progressing.
5Closing up for the day—an informal expression, especially for restaurants/bars, meaning it's time to close.
この店は毎晩十一時に看板にする。
This shop closes up at eleven every night.
もう遅いので、今夜はこの辺で看板にしましょう。
It's getting late, so let's call it a night and close up.