motorboat

noun

mo·​tor·​boat ˈmō-tər-ˌbōt How to pronounce motorboat (audio)
: a boat propelled usually by an internal combustion engine
motorboater noun
motorboating noun

Example Sentences

motorboats are banned on the lake because they are a hazard to swimmers
Recent Examples on the Web Snorkel and dive with experienced divemasters, take a fishing excursion, explore the area by kayak or motorboat, or just relax in a hammock or hot tub on the beach. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Feb. 2023 Most of my boating time is spent fishing, either from a drift boat (rivers) or small motorboat (lakes). Scott Mckee, Field & Stream, 13 Feb. 2023 The laser acts sort of like a motorboat, dragging those particles in its wake, says Leemans. Tim Folger, Discover Magazine, 27 Aug. 2015 One person died after a motorboat flipped over in the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon on Saturday. Angela Cordoba Perez, The Arizona Republic, 11 Sep. 2022 One person was killed and multiple people were injured after a motorboat flipped over on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, according to a statement posted on the park's Twitter account. Julianne Mcshane, NBC News, 11 Sep. 2022 After the mission is complete, an inflatable motorboat retrieves the glider and returns it to the research boat. Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010 Ultimately, motorboat engines or even a chainsaw motor could be used to make these mechanisms work. Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Jan. 2023 At least four bullets pierced through the side of their small motorboat. Kelly Kasulis Cho, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'motorboat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of motorboat was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near motorboat

Cite this Entry

“Motorboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motorboat. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

motorboat

noun
mo·​tor·​boat -ˌbōt How to pronounce motorboat (audio)
: a boat driven by a motor

More from Merriam-Webster on motorboat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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


Which Came First?

  • baby chick with a brown egg
  • hot take or cold shoulder?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY