outrigger

[out-rig-er]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR outrigger ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a framework extended outboard from the side of a boat, especially, as in South Pacific canoes, supporting a float that gives stability.

a bracket extending outward from the side of a racing shell, to support an oarlock.

the shell itself.

a spar rigged out from a ship's rail or the like, as for extending a sail.

a long, flexible rod, attached to a fishing boat near the stern, along which a fishing line may be threaded to keep it clear of the boat's wake when trolling.

a structure extending outward from a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft to increase stability or provide support for something.

a projecting beam, as for supporting a hoisting tackle.

a horizontal steel beam extending the base of a crane.

Nearby words

Origin of outrigger

First recorded in 1740–50; out- + rig + -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for outrigger

In Samoa the canoes are built with bow and stern, and the outrigger is pointed towards the fore part only.
The Evolution of Culture|Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt-Rivers
The outrigger may be described, in any boat, by laying oars across at equal distances, say one right above a thwart.
Samoa, A Hundred Years Ago And Long Before|George Turner
The outrigger is always kept to windward, and as these canoes have both ends constructed alike, they sail equally well either way.
The Pearl of India|Maturin M. Ballou
It is necessary that the outrigger should always be on the windward side.
The Evolution of Culture|Augustus Henry Lane-Fox Pitt-Rivers

I towed an outrigger canoe with two girls across the bay, and as quick as they could paddle back they wanted me to do it again.
Through the South Seas with Jack London|Martin Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for outrigger

outrigger

noun

a framework for supporting a pontoon outside and parallel to the hull of a boat to provide stability

a boat equipped with such a framework, esp one of the canoes of the South Pacific

any projecting framework attached to a boat, aircraft, building, etc, to act as a support

rowing another name for rigger (def. 2)

Word Origin for outrigger

C18: from out- + rig 1 + -er 1; perhaps influenced by archaic outligger outlier

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for outrigger

outrigger

device used in Pacific and Indian oceans to stabilize canoes, 1748, altered (by influence of rig) from outligger (late 15c.) "a spar projecting from a vessel," probably from the same root as Dutch uitlegger, literally "out-lyer."

outrigger

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of outrigger

Examples from the Web for outrigger

outrigger

noun

Word Origin for outrigger

outrigger