motorboat

noun

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

Synonyms of motorboat

• speedboat
• powerboat
• cruiser

Examples of motorboat in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Afternoons are made for fresh piña coladas, languid sun worshipping, and offshore adventures on motorboats fully stocked with snorkels, fins, and local beer. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Cruise around the Halifax Harbour on Little Wing, the hotel’s 36-foot yacht, or venture through nearby coves and bays aboard Reach, the Muir’s high-speed 24-foot motorboat. —Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

The men filled a sixteen-foot outboard motorboat with supplies and containers of gasoline and set out across the bay next to their village, then braved the open Bering Sea. —Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026

Hotels and guesthouses favor low-impact practices, including solar and wind power, and motorboats are restricted, leaving you free to sail, kayak, or paddleboard in peaceful contemplation. —Gemma Price, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

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