houseboat

noun

house·​boat ˈhau̇s-ˌbōt 

: a boat fitted for use as a dwelling

especially : a pleasure craft with a broad beam, a usually shallow draft, and a large superstructure resembling a house

houseboater

ˈhau̇s-ˌbō-tər 

noun

Examples of houseboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now the church itself hosted dances and houseboat parties and sponsored a youth softball team of which Nell Fisher was the manager. — Tom Drury, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026

Their families also vacationed together on the McGuire family houseboat on Lake Oroville. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026

San Francisco is home to some of the priciest and most unique homes in the country, including 20 houseboats that line Mission Creek near Oracle Park. — Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026

Lodging options include houseboats along the banks of the Kennebunk River with private rooftop decks for gazing at the autumnal views. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for houseboat

• anecdote
• antidote
• asymptote
• creosote
• dimethoate
• epidote
• ferryboat
• motorboat
• overcoat
• petticoat
• riverboat
• undercoat

Kids Definition

houseboat

noun

house·​boat ˈhau̇s-ˌbōt 

: a roomy usually shallow and flat-bottomed pleasure boat equipped for use as a dwelling or for cruising