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

Ryan Reynolds scored a vital victory over Hugh Jackman in their head-to-head race in F50 catamarans. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

The catamaran, carrying 267 passengers and crew from Kyrenia to Turkey, sank in waters over 1,600 feet deep as survivors described loud bangs, sudden listing and passengers trapped inside. — Andrew Wilks, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

The ferry involved, a catamaran, was one of several shuttle sea services that link North Cyprus with Turkey daily. — Reuters, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Lorenzo’s raft just missed the anchored catamaran, but his father, cousin and aunt weren’t as lucky. — Susan Young, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 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
• cyan

Kids Definition

catamaran

noun

cat·​a·​ma·​ran ˌkat-ə-mə-ˈran 

ˈkat-ə-mə-ˌran

: a boat with twin hulls