barge

1 of 2

noun

ˈbärj 

: any of various boats: such as

a

: a roomy usually flat-bottomed boat used chiefly for the transport of goods on inland waterways and usually propelled by towing

b

: a large motorboat supplied to the flag officer of a flagship

c

: a roomy pleasure boat

especially : a boat of state elegantly furnished and decorated

barge

2 of 2

verb

barged; barging

transitive verb

: to carry by barge

intransitive verb

1

: to move ponderously or clumsily

2

: to thrust oneself heedlessly or unceremoniously

barged into the meeting

Synonyms of barge

Verb

• shuffle
• stomp
• stumble
• slough
• haul

Examples of barge in a Sentence

Verb

He came rushing down the stairs, barging into the crowd of people at the bottom.

She barged through the door without even knocking.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The barge ran over the sailboat, submerging it beneath the barge’s hull. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

According to prosecutors, Insua was operating a tugboat pushing a barge loaded with construction debris, while a deckhouse and crane obstructed his view ahead. — Bethany Brown, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

Verb

Rap was part of the New York environment now, barging from boom boxes and windows. — Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Midfielder Joao Neves looks to move the ball on quickly, finding Bruno Fernandes with a quick pass, but Rodri is aware and instantly closes him down, barging him off the ball and returning the ball to his centre-back with minimal fuss. — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin barca

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing barge

• barge in on

Rhymes for barge

• charge
• large
• marge
• sarge
• targe
• discharge
• enlarge
• litharge
• recharge
• surcharge
• overcharge

Kids Definition

barge

1 of 2 noun

ˈbärj 

: a broad flat-bottomed boat that is usually towed and used chiefly to transport goods in harbors and on rivers and canals

barge

2 of 2 verb

barged; barging

1

: to carry by barge

2

: to move or push oneself clumsily or rudely

barged right in