boatman

noun

boat·​man ˈbōt-mən How to pronounce boatman (audio)
: a man who works on, deals in, or operates boats

Examples of boatman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Passengers and boatman and navigator argue about what to do. Nina Burleigh, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Jan. 2024 In the 1930s, a boatman on the Paraná River kidnapped and devoured children in the name of a supernatural being, El Horario. John Hopewell, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023 It was passed down for generations by boatmen through their oral history, according to a local media report. Chris Lau, CNN, 22 June 2023 Ideal would be on a houseboat in Kerala, motoring down the backwaters with my own cook and boatman and sipping toddy; or else under an umbrella at some warm beach while digitally disconnected. New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023 But now various health problems were beginning to emerge among the overtaxed boatmen. Larry Rohter, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Apr. 2023 Antônio Viana, a boatman who transports people across the Acre River, confronts declining water levels in July. John Muyskens, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2022 The most famous native boatman on the bay was a Miwok man the Spanish called Marino or Chief Marin. Carl Nolte, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Nov. 2021 Fra Ezio has played the role of Charon, the boatman on the mythic River Styx, ferrying souls from one threshold to another. Washington Post, 30 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'boatman.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of boatman was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near boatman

Cite this Entry

“Boatman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boatman. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

boatman

noun
boat·​man ˈbōt-mən How to pronounce boatman (audio)
: a person who manages, works on, or deals in boats

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