tugboat

noun

tug·​boat ˈtəg-ˌbōt How to pronounce tugboat (audio)
Synonyms of tugboatnext
: a strongly built powerful boat used for towing and pushing

called also towboat

Examples of tugboat 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.
That dude was sinking fast and the R's pretty much sent him the tugboat and life jacket. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026 Like a tugboat guiding cargo ships in and out of port, it’s used in Woven City to autonomously move cars from the parking garage to a pickup area for residents. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026 Arc Marine's electric tugboats are heading for the Port of Long Beach, California. — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 The sun has barely risen when the mission's navy tugboat arrives on site, carrying an underwater robot and two large containers acting as makeshift offices for marine archaeologists. — CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tugboat

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tugboat was in 1830

Rhymes for tugboat

See All Rhymes for tugboat

Browse Nearby Words

Tug
tugboat
tug chain
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

tugboat

noun
tug·​boat ˈtəg-ˌbōt How to pronounce tugboat (audio)
: a strongly built powerful boat used for towing and pushing ships

More from Merriam-Webster on tugboat

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tugboat

Nglish: Translation of tugboat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tugboat

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