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tramp steamer

American  

noun

  1. tramp.


Etymology

Origin of tramp steamer

First recorded in 1885–90

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.

In 1950, at 18, Jacques went to sea on a tramp steamer running coal between Dunkirk, France, and Algiers, the capital of Algeria, the rebellious French possession.

From New York Times • Sep. 26, 2019

This seminal science-fiction movie was in effect a transposition to outer of a Conrad novel about a run-down tramp steamer picking up a lethally dangerous passenger from a remote island.

From The Guardian • Jun. 2, 2012

Beginning in 1955 with an aging tramp steamer, Pao has built a fleet of 3.5 million tons, most of it in ultramodern supertankers and bulk carriers.

From Time Magazine Archive

He bummed his way west and then abroad, coming home a stowaway in a tramp steamer.

From Time Magazine Archive

“I’m going round the world on a tramp steamer, like the fellow who wrote this book.”

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney