catamaran

noun

cat·​a·​ma·​ran ˌka-tə-mə-ˈran 

ˈka-tə-mə-ˌran

: a vessel (such as a sailboat) with twin hulls and usually a deck or superstructure connecting the hulls

Illustration of catamaran

Examples of catamaran in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If luxury is your group's priority, Pelican Cabo’s Pelican 11, a 55-foot catamaran, offers a more indulgent way to take in the scenery. —Latifah Al Hazza, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

Other inflatable boats go the catamaran route. —Omar Kardoudi march 13, New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2026

The Turkish yard just unveiled a 62-foot hybrid catamaran that is the very definition of small but mighty. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026

Later, in December, two sailors and their dog were rescued from a sinking catamaran almost 60 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, thanks to a radio alert also detected by satellites, NOAA said. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for catamaran

• assemblyman
• carbofuran
• chipewyan
• illinoian
• newspaperman
• nurseryman
• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• crankpin

Kids Definition

catamaran

noun

cat·​a·​ma·​ran ˌkat-ə-mə-ˈran 

ˈkat-ə-mə-ˌran

: a boat with twin hulls