\ ˈbō(t)ˌtāl \
Definition of boattail
(Entry 1 of 2)
2
: the part of an artillery projectile in the rear of the rotating band when shaped like the inverted frustum of a cone
boattail
adjective
\ " \
variants:
or less commonly boat-tailed \
ˈ⸗¦⸗
\
Definition of boattail (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: tapered at the back end like the stern of a boat
a boattail bullet a boattail ski
Learn More About boattail
Statistics for boattail
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Boattail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boattail. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Challenging Words You Should Know
-
- Often used to describe “the march of time,” what does inexorable mean?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
What Are You Wearing?
Roll up your sleeves and identify these garments
Take the quiz
-
Name That Animal: Volume 2
Can you tell a meerkat from a wombat?
Take the quiz
-
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question ...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share boattail