houseboat

American  

[hous-boht] / ˈhaʊsˌboʊt /

noun

1. a flat-bottomed, bargelike boat fitted for use as a floating dwelling but not for rough water.

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verb (used without object)

1. to travel or live on a houseboat.

houseboat British  

/ ˈhaʊsˌbəʊt /

noun

1. a stationary boat or barge used as a home

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Other Word Forms

• houseboater noun

Etymology

Origin of houseboat

First recorded in 1780–90; house + boat

Example Sentences

After declining in use, "a restoration movement came about in the '60s" and people began to live on canal houseboats, Clarke said.

From Barron's

The Tuscan River was a huge river—big enough for houseboat rental companies to flourish.

From Literature

Living on a houseboat comes with its own rituals; these largely keep Kaslow occupied.

From Los Angeles Times

Tributes have been paid to a "popular" powerboat driver who died after a collision with a stationary houseboat during an international competition.

From BBC

Fishing: At Trinity Lake, you can rent a deck boat, pontoon boat or houseboat and try your hand at catching large and smallmouth bass, rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon.

From Los Angeles Times