: a strongly built powerful boat used for towing and pushing
called also towboat
Examples of tugboat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Four tugboats helped the Infinity arrive safely at the port.
—
Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
There were no injuries reported or marine pollution observed, and the ship safely sailed into port with the help of four tugboats, according to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
The parents of the three Miami Yacht Club summer campers who were killed last summer when a 60-foot barge slammed into their sailboat sued the company that owns the barge and tugboat pushing the barge, alleging negligence and irresponsible hiring.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The tugboat's crewmember had seen the suspect after boarding the barge, the Coast Guard said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tugboat
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Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
There were no injuries reported or marine pollution observed, and the ship safely sailed into port with the help of four tugboats, according to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
The parents of the three Miami Yacht Club summer campers who were killed last summer when a 60-foot barge slammed into their sailboat sued the company that owns the barge and tugboat pushing the barge, alleging negligence and irresponsible hiring.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
The tugboat's crewmember had seen the suspect after boarding the barge, the Coast Guard said.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tugboat
Cite this Entry
“Tugboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tugboat. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tugboat
noun
tug·boat
ˈtəg-ˌbōt 
: a strongly built powerful boat used for towing and pushing ships
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