tugboat
noun
a small, powerful boat for towing or pushing ships, barges, etc.
tugboats
-
pluralof tugboat.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
The sailors anxiously watched as tugboats battled the blaze that had engulfed storage tanks.
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
We put a minimum of two tugboats on every ship that comes into this port.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2024
This was said despite Ecology and the Board of Pilotage Commissioners evaluating the expanded use of tugboats to escort small tankers and oil barges in case of an emergency.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024
The Dali was moved by tugboats "under favourable environmental conditions", according to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
From BBC ● May 20, 2024
There were majestic sailing ships with detailed riggings and portholes, squat tugboats, a pirate ship steered by a mean-looking crew.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
