catamaran

noun

cat·​a·​ma·​ran ˌka-tə-mə-ˈran How to pronounce catamaran (audio)
ˈka-tə-mə-ˌran
Synonyms of catamarannext
: a vessel (such as a sailboat) with twin hulls and usually a deck or superstructure connecting the hulls

Illustration of catamaran

Illustration of catamaran

Examples of catamaran in a Sentence

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.
For something romantic, the weekly Sweetheart Sunset Sail is an intimate catamaran trip exclusively for Bucuti guests, complete with a Champagne toast and open bar. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026 Spithill steers Oracle’s space-age, 72-foot catamaran to its eighth straight victory, speeding past Dean Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand in the winner-take-all Race 19 on San Francisco Bay. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 The British yard, which revealed its first catamaran at the Cannes Yachting Festival in early September, today unveiled a new flagship sailing superyacht that combines elegant design and meticulous craftsmanship with bluewater cruising capability. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026 Navatek was not a profit center but a vehicle for Loui’s passion projects, like an experimental catamaran for navigating Hawaii’s choppy waters. — William Turton, ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for catamaran

Word History

Etymology

Tamil kaṭṭumaram, from kaṭṭu to tie + maram tree, wood

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catamaran was in 1673

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catamaran.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catamaran. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

catamaran

noun
cat·​a·​ma·​ran ˌkat-ə-mə-ˈran How to pronounce catamaran (audio)
ˈkat-ə-mə-ˌran
: a boat with twin hulls

More from Merriam-Webster on catamaran

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster