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
Examples of houseboat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The winning plan designated plots for houseboats but had no specifications about what kinds of structures would fill them.
—
Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
In the rainy season, heavy rains can mean pumping water furiously so her houseboat doesn't sink.
—Aniruddha Ghosal, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
The houseboats can sleep up to six people and can be taken out on the water.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2024
There were also pictures of their young son holding his chinchilla, petting a horse and hanging out on a houseboat with his friend.
—Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 2 Feb. 2024
Advertisement Over the whine of the motor, Dre Elmore explained that many of the houseboat people seem to be live-aboard artists and musicians.
—Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024
Over the whine of the motor, Dre Elmore explained that many of the houseboat people seem to be live-aboard artists and musicians.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024
For a unique lodging option, book one of the 42-foot houseboats, which have kitchens, bathrooms, linens, and air conditioning.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2024
The second time around, his performance earned less acclaim: a jury convicted him on all 10 felony charges, including taking bribes, filing false tax returns, racketeering and forcing his aides to perform chores at his farm and on his houseboat.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 3 Dec. 2023
Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
In the rainy season, heavy rains can mean pumping water furiously so her houseboat doesn't sink.
—Aniruddha Ghosal, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024
The houseboats can sleep up to six people and can be taken out on the water.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2024
There were also pictures of their young son holding his chinchilla, petting a horse and hanging out on a houseboat with his friend.
—Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 2 Feb. 2024
Advertisement Over the whine of the motor, Dre Elmore explained that many of the houseboat people seem to be live-aboard artists and musicians.
—Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2024
Over the whine of the motor, Dre Elmore explained that many of the houseboat people seem to be live-aboard artists and musicians.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024
For a unique lodging option, book one of the 42-foot houseboats, which have kitchens, bathrooms, linens, and air conditioning.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2024
The second time around, his performance earned less acclaim: a jury convicted him on all 10 felony charges, including taking bribes, filing false tax returns, racketeering and forcing his aides to perform chores at his farm and on his houseboat.
—Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 3 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'houseboat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1772, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near houseboat
Cite this Entry
“Houseboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/houseboat. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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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
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