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Definition of motorboat

  • stinkpot [ slang ]

Examples of motorboat in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'motorboat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1890, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near motorboat

Cite this entry.

“Motorboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/motorboat. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

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Nglish: Translation of motorboat for Spanish Speakers

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about motorboat

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mo·tor·boat

Mo•tor•boat.

  • aerohydroplane
  • aquaplaning
  • cabin cruiser
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Meaning of motorboat in English

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  • cabin cruiser
  • dragon boat
  • rubber dinghy
  • While you can take a motorboat, many people prefer to take the original Venetian taxi, the famous gondola.  

motorboat | Intermediate English

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motorboat meaning in english

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a boat propelled by an inboard or outboard motor .

to travel in or operate a motorboat: to motorboat from Hyannis to Martha's Vineyard.

Origin of motorboat

Other words from motorboat.

  • mo·tor·boat·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use motorboat in a sentence

In our own country we own three motorboats, with which we often cruise up and down the Mississippi River and others.

The prize for motorboats goes to my son Stuart for his funny-looking contraption!

The increasing noise of the engines behind them told them that the motorboats had caught up with them.

Others of the Willowbend campers had rowboats for the season; and some even owned their own motorboats.

Then they moored the skiff to the motorboats buoy and soon the Nimble Shanks was away, down the cove.

British Dictionary definitions for motorboat

/ ( ˈməʊtəˌbəʊt ) /

any boat powered by a motor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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  • Meaning of motorboat

motorboat ( English)

Origin & history, alternative forms.

  • ( nautical ) Any vessel driven by an engine (either inboard or outboard ), but especially a small one.

▾  Further examples

The captain of a German aid ship was arrested after the vessel docked without permission at a tiny Mediterranean island, ramming an Italian border police motorboat blocking its way. Independent.ie, 29 June 2019

Rescuers in Poland are searching for a celebrity businessman and socialite who went missing after falling from a motorboat into a lake. The Washington Times, 19 August 2019

But a prosecutor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula said he has no problem with people fishing in a motorboat in his county under certain conditions. The Washington Times, 20 April 2020

Onlooker Hugo Severino filmed the small dog being towed behind a motorboat in Alvarado, Veracruz, on May 2. He said he was walking along the bank when he witnessed the scene that made his day. Mail Online, 5 May 2021

Suspects who broke in to a fine art museum in Texas escaped police by using a motorboat and running into a sewer system, according to Houston police. MiamiHerald.com, 17 March 2021

Vancouver police confirm a 46-year-old Surrey man has not been seen since renting a motorboat from Granville Island on Wednesday. Vancouver Sun, 10 June 2022

A 67-year-old man has died after a motorboat overturned during a Colorado River trip inside the Grand Canyon National Park, officials said. Independent.ie, 12 September 2022

▾  Dictionary entries

Entries where "motorboat" occurs:

boat : …jetski, junk, caik/kaiki/kayık, kayak, keelboat, ketch, lifeboat, log boat, longboat, luxemotor, mackinaw boat, mailboat, motor boat, motorboat , motorsailer, narrowboat, Norfolk wherry, outrigger canoe, paddleboat, peniche, pinnace, policeboat, powerboat, raft…

motor : …forms motour (very rare) Derived words & phrases crate motor electric motor linear motor motorbike motor boat, motorboat motor caravan motorcycle motorcyclist motor home, motorhome motorise motorist motor oil motor scooter…

admiral's barge : admiral's barge (English) Noun admiral's barge (pl. admiral's barges) A motorboat used by flag officers for harbour transport.

water skiing : see also waterskiing, water-skiing‎ water skiing (English) Alternative forms water-skiing, waterskiing Noun water skiing The sport of riding on water skis, whilst being towed by a motorboat . See also wakeboarding Translations water skiing - water…

bátur : …women's boat) leitingarbátur (search boat) línubátur (boat for line fishing) lívbátur (lifeboat) maskinbátur (open motorboat ) motorbátur (motorboat) pappírsbátur (paper boat) postbátur (post boat) róðrarbátur (rowing boat)…

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motorboated (English)

motorboater (English)

motorboaters (English)

motorboating (English)

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motorboat meaning in english

Meaning of "motorboat" in the English dictionary

Pronunciation of motorboat, grammatical category of motorboat, what does motorboat mean in english.

motorboat

Definition of motorboat in the English dictionary

The definition of motorboat in the dictionary is any boat powered by a motor.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH MOTORBOAT

Words that begin like motorboat, words that end like motorboat, synonyms and antonyms of motorboat in the english dictionary of synonyms, words relating to «motorboat», translation of «motorboat» into 25 languages.

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TRANSLATION OF MOTORBOAT

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Examples of use in the english literature, quotes and news about motorboat, quotes with «motorboat», 10 english books relating to «motorboat», 10 news items which include the term «motorboat».

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motor-boat verb

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What does the verb motor-boat mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb motor-boat . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

motor-boat has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

How common is the verb motor-boat ?

How is the verb motor-boat pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the verb motor-boat come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the verb motor-boat is in the 1900s.

OED's earliest evidence for motor-boat is from 1903, in Rudder .

It is also recorded as a noun from the 1870s.

motor-boat is formed within English, by conversion.

Etymons: motor boat n.

Nearby entries

  • motor bicycle, n. 1894–
  • motor-bicycle, v. 1960–
  • motor-bicycling, n. 1912–
  • motor bicyclist, n. 1908–
  • motorbike, n. 1895–
  • motorbike, v. 1944–
  • motorbike grind, n. 1942–
  • motorbiking, n. 1913–
  • motorboard, n. 1922–
  • motor boat, n. 1871–
  • motor-boat, v. 1903–
  • motor-boating, n. 1905–
  • motor-boatist, n. 1908–
  • motor bus, n. 1896–
  • motor-bus, v. 1915–
  • motorcade, n. 1910–
  • motorcade, v. 1965–
  • motor camp, n. 1925–
  • motor cannon, n. 1889–
  • motor car, n. 1878–
  • motor caravan, n. 1909–

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Meaning & use

Pronunciation, entry history for motor-boat, v..

Originally published as part of the entry for motor-boating, n.

motor-boat, v. was revised in December 2002.

motor-boat, v. was last modified in July 2023.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

  • further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
  • new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into motor-boat, v. in July 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

A Supplement to the OED, Volume II (1976)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

  • View motor-boating, vbl. n. in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for motor-boat, v., browse entry.

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Definition of 'motorboating'

Motorboating in american english, motorboating in british english.

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Examples of 'motorboating' in a sentence motorboating

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Definition of motor noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

  • An electric motor is used to pump the water.
  • Batteries power the motor.
  • He started the motor.
  • Diesel engines drive six electric motors.
  • A powerful motor drives the mill wheel.
  • One of the wheels is fitted with an electric motor.
  • An electric current drives motors located under the floor.
  • She left the motor running.
  • Electricity powers hydraulic motors that compress these bales.
  • small motors for toys and clocks
  • a circular saw with a fan-cooled motor
  • The car has a faulty starter motor.
  • When you turn the ignition key, the starter motor spins the engine.
  • drive something

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  • Consumer spending has been the motor of economic growth.
  • Women are the motors of change in politics and the economy.
  • He uses the motor for local shopping trips.
  • I'm so rich now I can buy a shiny new motor!
  • It was his birthday so he drove the motor around Pudong all night.
  • Seems funny that my dodgy old motor has become a classic car.

Other results

  • the Ford Motor Company
  • the National Motor Museum
  • the British International Motor Show

Nearby words

IMAGES

  1. Motorboat

    motorboat meaning in english

  2. Motorboat definition and meaning

    motorboat meaning in english

  3. Motorboat Meaning

    motorboat meaning in english

  4. Motorboat

    motorboat meaning in english

  5. How to pronounce 'motorboat' + meaning

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  6. Naval architecture

    motorboat meaning in english

COMMENTS

  1. MOTORBOAT

    MOTORBOAT definition: 1. a small, fast boat that is powered by an engine 2. a small, fast boat that is powered by an…. Learn more.

  2. Motorboat Definition & Meaning

    motorboat: [noun] a boat propelled usually by an internal combustion engine.

  3. MOTORBOAT definition and meaning

    Any boat powered by a motor.... Click for English pronunciations, examples sentences, video.

  4. MOTORBOAT Definition & Usage Examples

    Motorboat definition: . See examples of MOTORBOAT used in a sentence.

  5. Motorboat

    A motorboat is a small craft with one or more engines for propulsion. Motorboats are commonly used for work, recreation, sport, or racing . Boat engines vary in shape, size, and type. These include inboard, outboard (integrating, the engine, gearbox, and propeller in one portable unit mounted in the rear), and inboard-outboard (or "sterndrive ...

  6. Motorboat

    motorboat: 1 n a boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine Synonyms: powerboat Types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... cabin cruiser , cruiser , pleasure boat , pleasure craft a large motorboat that has a cabin and plumbing and other conveniences necessary for living on board launch a motorboat with an open deck or a half deck outboard , ...

  7. motorboat noun

    Definition of motorboat noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. ... Take your English to the next level. The Oxford Learner's Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words. Try it for free as part of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary app. See motorboat in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary.

  8. motorboat

    motorboat meaning, definition, what is motorboat: a small fast boat with an engine: Learn more. ... English. English English - Japanese English - Korean English - Spanish Japanese - English Spanish - English English. 日本語 Español latino 한국어. motorboat. From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Related topics: Water motorboat ...

  9. Motorboat

    Define motorboat. motorboat synonyms, motorboat pronunciation, motorboat translation, English dictionary definition of motorboat. n. A boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine or other motor.

  10. Motorboat Definition & Meaning

    Motorboat definition: A boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine or other motor.

  11. MOTORBOAT

    MOTORBOAT meaning: 1. a small, fast boat that is powered by an engine 2. a small, fast boat that is powered by an…. Learn more.

  12. motorboat

    motorboat - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.

  13. motorboat

    The meaning of motorboat. Definition of motorboat. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels. ... definition: a boat driven by a motor mounted inside or outside the hull. related words: launch: Word Combinations Subscriber feature About this feature :

  14. MOTORBOAT Definition & Usage Examples

    Motorboat definition: . See examples of MOTORBOAT used in a sentence.

  15. Motorboat

    motorboat, a relatively small watercraft propelled by an internal-combustion or electric engine. Motorboats range in size from miniature craft designed to carry one person to seagoing vessels of 100 feet (30 m) or more. Most motorboats, however, have space for six passengers or fewer. Motorboats are used recreationally for traveling on water ...

  16. motorboat: meaning, translation

    motorboat (English) Origin & history motor + boat Alternative forms. motor boat; Noun motorboat (pl. motorboats) Any vessel driven by an engine (either inboard or outboard), but especially a small one. See also. powerboat; speedboat Translations motorboat - boat driven by an engine. Armenian: մոտորանավակ‎

  17. Meaning of "motorboat" in the English dictionary

    Launching a business is kind of like a motorboat: You can go very quickly and turn fast. Tony Hsieh . Meaning of "motorboat" in the English dictionary . DICTIONARY . PRONUNCIATION OF MOTORBOAT. motorboat [ˈməʊtəˌbəʊt] GRAMMATICAL CATEGORY OF MOTORBOAT. noun . ...

  18. motor-boat, v. meanings, etymology and more

    What does the verb motor-boat mean? There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb motor-boat. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. motor-boat has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. nautical (1900s) electronics (1930s)

  19. MOTORBOAT definition in American English

    motorboat in American English. (ˈmoutərˌbout) noun. 1. a boat propelled by an inboard or outboard motor. intransitive verb. 2. to travel in or operate a motorboat. to motorboat from Hyannis to Martha's Vineyard.

  20. MOTORBOATING definition and meaning

    Travelling by motorboat.... Click for English pronunciations, examples sentences, video.

  21. motorboat noun

    Definition of motorboat noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary motorboat noun. noun. NAmE / / ˈmoʊt̮ərˌboʊt / / jump to other results. a small fast boat driven by an engine. Take your English to the next level. The Oxford Learner's Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words.

  22. MOTORBOATING definition in American English

    [1925-30; motorboat + -ing 1] This word is first recorded in the period 1925-30. Other words that entered English at around the same time include: Nazi, distinctive feature, hot spot, recycle, turnaround-ing is a suffix of nouns formed from verbs, expressing the action of the verb or its result, product, material, etc. (the art of building; a new building; cotton wadding).

  23. motor noun

    A powerful motor drives the mill wheel. One of the wheels is fitted with an electric motor. An electric current drives motors located under the floor. She left the motor running. Electricity powers hydraulic motors that compress these bales. small motors for toys and clocks; a circular saw with a fan-cooled motor; The car has a faulty starter ...