noun

tugboat

TUHG-boht

Tugboat (noun) means a small, powerful boat used to tow or push larger ships, especially in harbours. Example: “A tugboat nudged the cargo ship gently against the dock.”

noun

A small, powerful boat used to tow or push larger ships, especially in harbours.

"A tugboat nudged the cargo ship gently against the dock."

How to use tugboat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small but powerful boat that pushes or pulls larger ships in and out of port.

Common pairings

tugboat captain tugboat crew

Word forms

tugboats plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ nudged the cargo ship gently against the dock.

Etymology

A compound of tug + boat, describing a small vessel built to tug — that is, tow — much larger ones.

Synonyms

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tower tug towboat

Related words

pull jail tower drag Towers stack jerk tug

Rhymes for tugboat

oat boat coat goat moat float bloat gloat groat throat afloat rowboat

See all rhymes for tugboat →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tugboat” mean?

The word “tugboat” means a small, powerful boat used to tow or push larger ships, especially in harbours. In plain terms, a small but powerful boat that pushes or pulls larger ships in and out of port.

How do you pronounce “tugboat”?

“Tugboat” is pronounced TUHG-boht (/ˈtʌɡboʊt/ in IPA).

How do you use “tugboat” in a sentence?

Here is “tugboat” used in a sentence: “A tugboat nudged the cargo ship gently against the dock.”

What part of speech is “tugboat”?

“Tugboat” is a noun.

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