watercraft

noun

wa·​ter·​craft ˈwȯ-tər-ˌkraft 

ˈwä-

1

: skill in aquatic activities (such as managing boats)

2

a

: ship, boat

b

: craft for water transport

Synonyms of watercraft

• boat
• vessel
• canoe
• kayak
• yacht

Examples of watercraft in a Sentence

just about any kind of watercraft can be seen on the lake during the summer

Recent Examples on the Web

The rider hung onto his upside-down watercraft for an hour, as speeding boats raced by. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026

The sheriff’s office said the watercraft, a 25-foot Dave’s Custom Boat, collided with the rocky banks on the Arizona side of the river, north of Lake Havasu. —Lucy Hodgman, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026

Thrill seekers can ride personal watercraft, wakeboard, and parasail, while outdoor lovers can roam via a houseboat or lounge at a waterfront campsite. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2026

The video was shot by another TowBoatUS captain, Enzo Ramos, who told the Herald the person on the personal watercraft said the man’s leg was badly injured. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for watercraft

• allograft
• autograft
• autographed
• countershaft
• handicraft
• homograft
• hovercraft
• lithographed
• overdraft
• photographed
• rotorcraft
• telegraphed

Kids Definition

watercraft

noun

wa·​ter·​craft -ˌkraft 

: craft for water transportation