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

Boating is allowed, though all watercraft, down to inflatable kayaks, must have a permit, purchased from the city’s website. —R. Scott Rappold, Denver Post, 1 June 2026

The Los Angeles startup, cofounded by software engineer Mitch Lee and former SpaceX rocket designer Ryan Cook, launched their electric boat startup to target the luxury watercraft market, selling sleek, fast $300,000 e-boats for wealthy weekenders. —Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Clean shoes, gear and boats before entering or leaving waterways to remove plants, animals and pests, and drain water from live wells and bilges before moving your watercraft. —Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Initial reports said the man may have been on a personal watercraft, but this was not immediately confirmed. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 May 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