catamaran
Americannoun
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a vessel, usually propelled by sail, formed of two hulls or floats held side by side by a frame above them.
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a float or sailing raft formed of a number of logs lashed together, used in certain parts of India, South America, etc.
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Canadian Dialect. a wooden sled.
noun
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a sailing, or sometimes motored, vessel with twin hulls held parallel by a rigid framework
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a primitive raft made of logs lashed together
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old-fashioned a quarrelsome woman
Etymology
Origin of catamaran
First recorded in 1670–80; from Tamil kaṭṭa-maram “tied wood”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Five out of CalMac's 11 major vessels remain out of action along with the chartered catamaran Alfred and two smaller ferries, either due to faults or scheduled maintenance.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
Seven months into the trip, Sarm met Ryan Bane, 49, an American boat captain who chartered his £500,000 catamaran - Siren Song - to wealthy tourists.
From BBC • Sep. 13, 2025
Services from Troon, about 15 miles further south on the Ayrshire coast, will be provided by the new ferry MV Glen Sannox and the chartered catamaran Alfred.
From BBC • Jun. 12, 2025
Marine scientist Sharon Gray lives on a catamaran off the Florida west coast.
From Salon • May 24, 2024
Beyond them, a catamaran and some parasailing boats bob in the distance, anchored and bright like candies.
From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
