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

Geological Survey, the carp can jump as high as 10 feet into the air when spooked by outboard motors or other disturbances.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 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

The family was aboard the Pangaboat, a small boat with an outboard motor, along with several other people when it capsized at Del Mar Beach.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2025

"People talk about health services, schools, the next outboard engine they want on their boat and what is the price of gas and all of these things that normal people do," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2025

Anyhow, I’ll load on, fire up the outboard, go down creek to the harbor, fetch a bucket of bait from Dev Murphy, then off again to wherever I’m setting traps.

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick