A panel or board used in building interiors (e.g., wainscoting); a panel covering part of a wall.
古い家の廊下には木製の羽目板が貼られていた。
The hallway of the old house was lined with wooden panels (wainscoting).
湿気で羽目が反ってしまったので張り替えた。
The panel warped because of humidity, so we replaced it.
A predicament or awkward/difficult situation (often used in the phrase 羽目になる: 'to end up in a fix').
不注意で借金を重ね、ついに返済不能の羽目になった。
Through carelessness he accumulated debts and finally ended up unable to repay them.
急な雨でイベントが中止になり、準備に費やした費用の支払いという羽目になった。
Due to sudden rain the event was canceled, and we ended up having to cover the expenses spent on preparations.
彼は約束を忘れて、上司との会食で謝らなければならない羽目になった。
He forgot the appointment and ended up having to apologize at a dinner with his boss.
冗談のつもりが誤解を生み、謝罪する羽目になった。
What was meant as a joke caused a misunderstanding, and I had to apologize.