steamboat

noun

steam·​boat ˈstēm-ˌbōt 

: a boat driven by steam power

specifically : a shallow-draft vessel used on inland waterways

Examples of steamboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first steamboat carrying paying passengers took its first journey, from New York City to Albany, New York. — USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026

Tom Sawyer Island, an adventure play area themed to Mark Twain’s classic book, and the Liberty Belle, a steamboat that took guests along the river through frontier scenes, were both added in 1973. — Julie Tremaine, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Lewis and Clark passed through the area on their famed 1804 expedition, and the town was officially established in 1825 as a bustling steamboat hub frequented by both European settlers and Native Americans. — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026

The lumber used to build the castle was essentially driftwood from steamboat wrecks that floated down the river and into Gray's hands. — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing steamboat

• steamboat Gothic

Rhymes for steamboat

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote

Kids Definition

steamboat

noun

steam·​boat ˈstēm-ˌbōt 

: a boat driven by steam