tugboat

noun

tug·​boat ˈtəg-ˌbōt How to pronounce tugboat (audio)
: a strongly built powerful boat used for towing and pushing

called also towboat

Examples of tugboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Katy Delahanty looked on from the bank of Utica Pike in Jeffersonville and watched crane operators, workers on tugboats, and others come together to lift the 75-year-old boat out of the Ohio River so it could be moved to its new home. Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 30 Sep. 2024 As the wooden steam tugboat’s crew tried to grab a line from the I.W. Stephenson, the smaller vessel sailed in front of the bigger one—and the two ships collided. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Sep. 2024 The Russian vessels, which included two submarines, a frigate and a tugboat, had crossed the maritime boundary into U.S. waters to avoid sea ice, which is permitted under international rules and customs. Mark Thiessen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024 The situation appeared to be on its way to a resolution in early September, when an operation involving tugboats protected by European naval vessels was launched to salvage the Sounion. Joshua Keating, Vox, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tugboat 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tugboat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tugboat was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near tugboat

Cite this Entry

“Tugboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tugboat. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

tugboat

noun
tug·​boat ˈtəg-ˌbōt How to pronounce tugboat (audio)
: a strongly built powerful boat used for towing and pushing ships
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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