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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishA small but powerful boat that pushes or pulls larger ships in and out of port.
Common pairings
tugboat captain
tugboat crew
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Word forms
- Plural
- tugboats
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
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tugboat
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.
