steamboat

noun

steam·​boat ˈstēm-ˌbōt How to pronounce steamboat (audio)
: 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
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It is set on the fictional Winthrop Island in New England, and features a disgruntled daughter and her famous mother who are connected to a young woman on a steamboat from 200 years in the past. Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025 The exhibit will feature 100 years of historic and Opry-related artifacts, including the following clothing and instruments: A wooden steamboat whistle used by the Opry's founder and longtime announcer, George D. Hay. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 22 Aug. 2025 Tom Ryman, a steamboat captain, built it as a place of worship in 1885. Aislyn Greene, AFAR Media, 5 Aug. 2025 Driven by massive wooden paddle wheels, the ship harkens back to the 1800s when steamboats would regularly be seen traveling the 310-mile St. Johns. Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steamboat

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steamboat was in 1785

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Cite this Entry

“Steamboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steamboat. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

steamboat

noun
steam·​boat ˈstēm-ˌbōt How to pronounce steamboat (audio)
: a boat driven by steam

More from Merriam-Webster on steamboat

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