: a strongly built powerful boat used for towing and pushing
called also towboat
Examples of tugboat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The vessel stayed afloat after the incident and was taken back to port with the help of tugboats, fire officials said.
—
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
The 64-foot working wooden tugboat was built in 1912 and renovated to include one bedroom and one bath.
—Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Iranian exporters often transfer cargoes between shadow fleet vessels—at times with the aid of tugboats—in the Persian Gulf and in waters off the coast of Singapore and Malaysia in order to disguise the origin of their cargoes.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Length of tugboat means fewer regulations The length of a tugboat is paramount according to maritime regulations, the Miami Herald found.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tugboat
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Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025
The 64-foot working wooden tugboat was built in 1912 and renovated to include one bedroom and one bath.
—Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Iranian exporters often transfer cargoes between shadow fleet vessels—at times with the aid of tugboats—in the Persian Gulf and in waters off the coast of Singapore and Malaysia in order to disguise the origin of their cargoes.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Length of tugboat means fewer regulations The length of a tugboat is paramount according to maritime regulations, the Miami Herald found.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tugboat
Cite this Entry
“Tugboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tugboat. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tugboat
noun
tug·boat
ˈtəg-ˌbōt 
: a strongly built powerful boat used for towing and pushing ships
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