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powerboat

American  
[pou-er-boht] / ˈpaʊ ərˌboʊt /

noun

  1. a boat propelled by mechanical power.

  2. motorboat.


powerboat British  
/ ˈpaʊəˌbəʊt /

noun

  1. a boat propelled by an inboard or outboard motor

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of powerboat

First recorded in 1905–10; power + boat

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.

See Examples For:

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

From BBC Jul. 25, 2025

There were 10 people aboard the 27-foot powerboat near D.L.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 25, 2025

Pastrana, mind you, is a decorated X Games star and has won championships in supercross, motocross, freestyle motocross, rally racing and, most recently, offshore powerboat racing.

From Seattle Times Jan. 17, 2023

He maintained his strut and bravado off-screen, earning a black belt in karate and pursuing hobbies such as powerboat racing and roping steers.

From Washington Post Jul. 7, 2022

The DiAngelos’ sailboat bobbed nearby in its slip, and their powerboat sat gleaming on a boat lift beside it.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

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