steamboat

noun

steam·​boat ˈstēm-ˌbōt How to pronounce steamboat (audio)
: a boat driven by steam power
specifically : a shallow-draft vessel used on inland waterways

Examples of steamboat 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.
The anchor likely belonged to the Berlin City steamboat, which sank after an explosion during a race in July 1857, killing five people and burning several others. Rose Androwich, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025 From Civil War-era railroads traveling through mountainous terrain to streetcars and subways in a modern metropolis, with intricately detailed houses and towns and steamboats and inclines and skyscrapers in scenes of American history. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 The reason that Chernow’s failure to take cognizance of the steamboat Arago seems problematic enough to nitpick has nothing to do with the business of the pen name, which Chernow does discuss. John Jeremiah Sullivan, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025 Her group of spies, scouts, and other freedom fighters piloted three Union steamboats snaking up the lower Combahee River with Colonel James Montgomery of the Second South Carolina Volunteers and one battery of the Third Rhode Island Artillery. Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for steamboat

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steamboat was in 1785

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Cite this Entry

“Steamboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steamboat. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

steamboat

noun
steam·​boat ˈstēm-ˌbōt How to pronounce steamboat (audio)
: a boat driven by steam

More from Merriam-Webster on steamboat

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