pontoon

1 of 2

noun (1)

pon·​toon pän-ˈtün How to pronounce pontoon (audio)
Synonyms of pontoonnext
1
: a flat-bottomed boat (such as a lighter)
especially : a flat-bottomed boat or portable float used in building a floating temporary bridge
2
: a float especially of a seaplane

pontoon

2 of 2

noun (2)

British
: blackjack sense 1

Examples of pontoon 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.
Noun
But nature is the real reason people step on his pontoon. — John Lauritsen, CBS News, 25 June 2026 For something with a little more oomph, local marinas offer boat rentals ranging from pontoons to deck boats. — Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 30 June 2026 Beach Road Watersports rents kayaks, jet skis, fishing boats, and pontoons for lazy days on the water. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 2 July 2026 The man, who was wearing a flotation device at the time of the crash, was found safe by sheriff’s office rescuers while sitting atop one of the plane’s pontoons. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pontoon

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French ponton, from Old French, from Latin ponton-, ponto

Noun (2)

perhaps alteration of vingt-et-un

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pontoon was in 1676

Phrases Containing pontoon

Rhymes for pontoon

See All Rhymes for pontoon

Browse Nearby Words

pontonier
pontoon
pontoon bridge
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pontoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pontoon. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pontoon

noun
pon·​toon
pän-ˈtün
1
: a flat-bottomed boat
2
: a float used in building a floating bridge
3
: a float of an airplane
Etymology

Noun

from French ponton "a floating bridge, punt," from Latin ponton-, ponto (same meaning), from pont-, pons "bridge" — related to punt entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on pontoon

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pontoon

Nglish: Translation of pontoon for Spanish Speakers

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