motorboat

noun

mo·​tor·​boat ˈmō-tər-ˌbōt How to pronounce motorboat (audio)
: a boat propelled usually by an internal combustion engine
motorboater noun
motorboating noun

Examples of motorboat in a Sentence

motorboats are banned on the lake because they are a hazard to swimmers
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.
When Eastman tried to escape, he was shot in the leg, then forced onto a motorboat by his abductors. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Jansson spent much of her life living in a cottage like this one – all wooden planks and questionable plumbing – where, in the film, Sophia, her father (Anders Danielsen Lie, quietly rewarding as ever) and Grandma arrive on a motorboat in the first scene. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2024 Nautor Swan has been building high-end, fast, and luxurious sailboats (and recently two motorboat models) since 1969. Tonya Russell, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2024 Nine people were on the 31-foot motorboat at the time of the accident, which took place on the Connecticut River at about 9 p.m. near Harbor One Marina in Old Saybrook, according to the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police. Jon Haworth, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for motorboat 

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of motorboat was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near motorboat

Cite this Entry

“Motorboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motorboat. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

motorboat

noun
mo·​tor·​boat -ˌbōt How to pronounce motorboat (audio)
: a boat driven by a motor

More from Merriam-Webster on motorboat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!