plural boats
1
a
: a small vessel for travel on water
b
: ship
2
: a boat-shaped container, utensil, or device
a gravy boat
a laboratory boat
3
informal
: a large car
A lot of people still think Cadillac makes big floaty boats.—
Mark LaNeve
Mark LaNeve
boated; boating; boats
: to place in or bring into a boat
: to go by boat
Examples of boat in a Sentence
Noun
He tied the boat to the dock.
Cruise ships and other boats filled the harbor.
traveling by boat across the ocean
Verb
We boated over to the island.
boated to the picnic site on an island in the bay
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
For thousands of years, Arctic peoples have used a hunting boat called the qajaq, which is designed for speed and silence and is made of sealskin stretched over a whalebone or driftwood frame.
—Chloe Berge, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025
There are also bills filed by local leaders revolving around a Biscayne Bay boating accident that killed a high school girl, condo bills concerning association management and maintenance, and a bill that would prohibit discrimination in the public school system based on hairstyles.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for boat
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Authorities are now searching additional neighboring beaches as well as on land with 300 officers, search dogs, boats, two helicopters and other resources, Fox News Digital has confirmed.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 13 Mar. 2025
For thousands of years, Arctic peoples have used a hunting boat called the qajaq, which is designed for speed and silence and is made of sealskin stretched over a whalebone or driftwood frame.
—Chloe Berge, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Designed to embrace the Florida lifestyle, the property features lush landscaping, expansive outdoor spaces, and a private 49-foot dock—perfect for those who enjoy boating or simply want to relax by the water.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025
There are also bills filed by local leaders revolving around a Biscayne Bay boating accident that killed a high school girl, condo bills concerning association management and maintenance, and a bill that would prohibit discrimination in the public school system based on hairstyles.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for boat
Articles Related to boat
Cite this Entry
“Boat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boat. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boat
1 of 2 noun1
: a small vessel for travel on water
3
: a boat-shaped utensil
gravy boat
boat
2 of 2 verb1
: to put into or carry in a boat
2
: to travel by boat
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