towboat

noun

tow·​boat ˈtō-ˌbōt How to pronounce towboat (audio)
1
2
: a compact shallow-draft boat with a squared bow designed and fitted for pushing tows of barges on inland waterways

Examples of towboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Besides the vessels visiting China, another Russian naval group, which is composed of a submarine and a rescue towboat, was spotted sailing northward on Tuesday in the waters between Japan's southwestern islands of Yonaguni and Iriomote in the Philippine Sea. Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 The filing also details acquisitions, including the purchase of 13 inland tank barges and two high horsepower towboats for $65.2 million. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024 The captain of the barge's towboat reportedly lost consciousness, and the barge lost control and crashed into the pier support. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024 Victims and families settled a lawsuit with the towboat company, Magnolia Marine Transport Co., in May 2003 for an undisclosed amount. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for towboat 

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of towboat was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near towboat

Cite this Entry

“Towboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/towboat. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

towboat

noun
tow·​boat ˈtō-ˌbōt How to pronounce towboat (audio)
1
2
: a compact shallow-draft boat for pushing barges on inland waterways

More from Merriam-Webster on towboat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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