outboard

American  

[out-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈaʊtˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

adjective

1. located on the exterior of a hull or aircraft.

2. located farther from the center, as of an aircraft.

   the outboard end of a wing.

3. (of a motorboat) having an outboard motor.

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adverb

1. outside or away from the center of a hull, aircraft, machine, etc..

   The sail swung outboard.

noun

1. an outboard motor.

2. a boat equipped with an outboard motor.

outboard British  

/ ˈaʊtˌbɔːd /

adjective

1. (of a boat's engine) portable, with its own propeller, and designed to be attached externally to the stern Compare inboard

2. in a position away from, or further away from, the centre line of a vessel or aircraft, esp outside the hull or fuselage

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adverb

1. away from the centre line of a vessel or aircraft, esp outside the hull or fuselage

noun

1. an outboard motor

2. a boat fitted with an outboard motor

Etymology

Origin of outboard

First recorded in 1815–25; out- + board

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outboard

The outboard horsepower explosion started about 20 years ago, when bigger boats typically had engines set within the hull.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

High-horsepower outboard motors have helped the boating industry navigate a choppy economy better than other discretionary goods makers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

As well as the 35m-long sub, the security forces also seized six speedboats, seven outboard motors and dozens of barrels of fuel.

From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026

The yachtsmen pulled over to ask two loggers for help, and one of the loggers noticed an improperly secured outboard motor in the back seat of the rental car.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025

By the time Cole dressed and carried the ancestor rock, the sun had peeked above the trees.Then he heard an unexpected noise: the unmistakable buzz of Edwin’s outboard engine floated over the trees.

From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen