boat

1 of 2

noun

plural boats
Synonyms of boatnext
1
a
: a small vessel for travel on water
b
: ship
2
: a boat-shaped container, utensil, or device
a gravy boat
a laboratory boat
3
informal : a large car
A lot of people still think Cadillac makes big floaty boats.Mark LaNeve
boatful noun
boatlike adjective

see also in the same boat

boat

2 of 2

verb

boated; boating; boats

transitive verb

: to place in or bring into a boat

intransitive verb

: to go by boat

Examples of boat in a Sentence

Noun He tied the boat to the dock. Cruise ships and other boats filled the harbor. traveling by boat across the ocean Verb We boated over to the island. boated to the picnic site on an island in the bay
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Continue reading … UNEXPECTED ESCORT – A police boat in Florida received a friendly assist. FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026 Faquir Pedro Nhamue, as well as take dhow boat rides and snorkel with the regional NGO ParCo. Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
Mexico's Puerto Morelos and the city of Dublin also ranked high with each boating a 90 percent increase in bookings. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026 There are walking trails, a spa, water activities such as boating and windsurfing, rum tasting, and three infinity-edge pools. Ronny Maye, Essence, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boat

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English boot, from Old English bāt; akin to Old Norse beit boat

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of boat was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boat. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

boat

1 of 2 noun
1
: a small vessel for travel on water
2
3
: a boat-shaped utensil
gravy boat

boat

2 of 2 verb
1
: to put into or carry in a boat
2
: to travel by boat

More from Merriam-Webster on boat

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