motorboat

1 of 2

noun (1)

mo·​tor·​boat ˈmō-tər-ˌbōt 

: a boat propelled usually by an internal combustion engine

motorboater

ˈmō-tər-ˌbō-tər 

noun

motorboating

ˈmō-tər-ˌbō-tiŋ 

noun

motorboating

2 of 2

noun (2)

mo·​tor·​boat·​ing ˈmō-tər-ˌbō-tiŋ 

1

: the activity of riding in a motorboat for leisure

The former was fronted by a vocal quartet that … featured an ironic-considering-the-weather song, "Pontoon," an ode to summer motorboating.

—John Serba, The Grand Rapids (Michigan) Press, 10 Jan. 2014

2

: an inherent low frequency instability in electronic circuits characterized when heard on a telephone receiver or loudspeaker by a noise similar to the exhaust of a motorboat

Synonyms of motorboat

Noun (1)

• speedboat
• powerboat
• cruiser

Examples of motorboat in a Sentence

Noun (1)

motorboats are banned on the lake because they are a hazard to swimmers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The vessel was a 22-foot bowrider motorboat, according to the New York Post. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026

Most motorboats won’t fit beneath the medieval bridge at Potter Heigham, and so are restricted to the southern Broads. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 9 Aug. 2026

Another bystander eventually took a motorboat out to bring everyone ashore. — Liz Crawford, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Her first ally is Oona (Bo Bragason), a loud, flirtatious Brit who teaches Annie to operate a motorboat by assuring her that steering it is just like giving a hand job. — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1890, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for motorboat

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

Kids Definition

motorboat

noun

mo·​tor·​boat -ˌbōt 

: a boat driven by a motor