boathouse

American  

[boht-hous] / ˈboʊtˌhaʊs /

noun

• boathouses
  plural

1. a building or shed, usually built partly over water, for sheltering a boat or boats.

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boathouse British  

/ ˈbəʊtˌhaʊs /

noun

1. a shelter by the edge of a river, lake, etc, for housing boats

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• boathouses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of boathouse

First recorded in 1715–25; boat + house

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

boathouse boathouses

Absent from the park is an adequate boathouse, so a new rental stand or similar structure would need to be set up for the operation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

The 103-acre island comes with approved plans and permission to build a lodge and boathouse.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026

“Expansive terraces, meditation gardens, and hidden courtyards evoke a world-class resort ambiance, while infinity pools and a private boathouse complete its coastal allure,” the description noted.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 14, 2026

It was those watchmen who came to the boathouse to report that they’d spotted a man in a waterproof jacket drag the Zodiac up the embankment.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2025

I was down at the boathouse, raking up...”

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

And I have a special touristic affection for Boathouse Row, the collection of 19th century boathouses along the Schuylkill River just west of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

This 105-acre property, Camp Topridge, features, according to ProPublica, “an artificial waterfall and a great hall” for dining, and “more than 25 fireplaces, three boathouses, clay tennis court, and batting cage.”

From Slate ● Aug. 12, 2023

Outlining a cluster of historic boathouses along the Schuylkill River near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the twinkly lights reflect off the water and give definition to the unique architecture of each building.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 18, 2023

In 79 C.E., in a desperate attempt to escape the impact of the Mount Vesuvius eruption, the people of Herculaneum huddled in boathouses along the town’s waterfront, situated on the west coast of central Italy.

From Science Magazine ● Aug. 25, 2021

Across the water he could see other fine mercher houses, tall and slender, the tidy gables of their rooftops making a dark silhouette against the night sky, their gardens and boathouses lit by glowing lanterns.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo