boatload

American  

[boht-lohd] / ˈboʊtˌloʊd /

noun

1. the cargo that a vessel carries or is capable of carrying.

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boatload British  

/ ˈbəʊtˌləʊd /

noun

1. the amount of cargo or number of people held by a boat or ship

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Etymology

Origin of boatload

First recorded in 1670–80; boat + load

Example Sentences

OK, there’s a boatload of moral implications on how this is used.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 21, 2026

"It's frustrating. That money is going to players who are making an absolute boatload anyway," Murray, who has won three US Open mixed titles, told BBC Sport.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2025

“We’re going to send a whole boatload of agents,” Homan said on CBS News.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2025

And that's strange since there have been a boatload of them.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2025

Similarly, a boatload of quiet but strong introverts may never find the common core of fiery resolve that causes the boat to explode past its competitors when all seems lost.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown