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whaleboat

[hweyl-boht, weyl-]
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noun
  1. a long, narrow boat designed for quick turning and use in rough seas: formerly used in whaling, now mainly for sea rescue.
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Origin of whaleboat

First recorded in 1665–75; whale1 + boat
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for whaleboat

Historical Examples

  • A whaleboat came alongside, and a man climbed over the rail.

    A Son Of The Sun

    Jack London

  • Whaleboat after whaleboat was being hurriedly manned and shoved off.

    A Son Of The Sun

    Jack London

  • We paddled to the whaleboat and embarked from the life raft.

  • Still there was no danger at this time in landing a whaleboat, if she were well handled.

    There She Blows!

    William Hussey Macy

  • The whaleboat had been built for speed, and was long, narrow, and light.

    The Boys of Old Monmouth

    Everett T. Tomlinson

British Dictionary definitions for whaleboat

whaleboat

noun
  1. a narrow boat from 20 to 30 feet long having a sharp prow and stern, formerly used in whalingAlso called: whaler
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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