towboat

noun

tow·​boat ˈtō-ˌbōt 

1

: tugboat

2

: a compact shallow-draft boat with a squared bow designed and fitted for pushing tows of barges on inland waterways

Examples of towboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eisenberger is a former deputy aide for Collins who most recently worked for American Waterways Operators, the national trade association for the barge, towboat and tugboat industry. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 9 July 2026

When drought tightens the channel, water managers, dredge crews, and lock operators must communicate with towboat companies and shippers nearly every moment. — Alfredo Sosa, Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 2026

But crew numbers for each towboat are the same. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026

The gig is providing extra income for Novinska, who's typically a towboat captain pushing barges full of goods on the river. — Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for towboat

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

Kids Definition

towboat

noun

tow·​boat ˈtō-ˌbōt 

1

: tugboat

2

: a compact shallow-draft boat for pushing barges on inland waterways