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

The incident follows the death of a 26-year-old woman after a 33-foot cabin cruiser motorboat collided with a smaller boat on Lake Michigan, leaving four injured. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 4 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

Locals swam from the rocks as sailboats, ferries and small motorboats crossed the ship’s path. — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 23 July 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