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boat

A craft used for transportation of goods, fishing, racing, recreational cruising, or military use on or in the water, propelled by oars or outboard motor or inboard motor or by wind.

ˈbəʊ̯thistoricalCurrent201 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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Seen in the wild
9 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

Australia
#1·Apr 26, 2026AUS

A craft used for transportation of goods, fishing, racing, recreational cruising, or military use on or in the water, propelled by oars or outboard motor or inboard motor or by wind.

We can't get everything in the boat. We'll leave this stuff behind.
Origin: From , boot, boet, boyt, from , from , from , *baitą, from (whence also fissure via Latin). Cognate with , . (whence , , ), , , and are all ultimately borrowings from the Old English word. Compare typologically ship << ; (< долби́ть), (akin to коло́ть). Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

"boat" means: A craft used for transportation of goods, fishing, racing, recreational cruising, or military use on or in the water, propelled by oars or o.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"boat" means: A craft used for transportation of goods, fishing, racing, recreational cruising, or military use on or in the water, propelled by oars or o.... Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

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Australia
#2·Apr 26, 2026AUS

A conveyance, utensil, or dish somewhat resembling a boat in shape.

He claimed to be broke but he always drove that ridiculous boat.
Heard in the wild
  • “It's if The Odyssey was about Boat and Hard Men as opposed to being a cunning little scamp”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “I doubt they would get to the waters edge never mind Antarctica in that boat Dougal 🐾🐾😀”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Had everyone just stayed in the ballroom, which was its own life boat, the outcome would have been so much better.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “I don't use an SSRI, but I have other mental health medications, and they've been absolute gamechangers for me. Glad I'm in the same boat, psych and therapy-wise. Both of those women are tremendous.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Reinforcing my ”No trapped on a boat” vacations rule.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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Australia
#3·Apr 26, 2026AUS

(poker slang) A full house.

Heard in the wild
  • “Put this wannabe solider in a row boat in the Strait of Hormuz”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Kars could have won if Eisidisi didn't reveal the whole sending the Red Stone of Aja away via boat”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “...maar de U-boat scare was ook opgeklopt omdat de nazi's nooit genoeg bootjes hadden. En het bombarderen was ook al nutteloos. Net als die hele campagne in Noord-Afrika. Als oorlog zo nutteloos is, gaat de lol er voor mij ook wel af.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Very much in the same boat. His outfits and things was legit the first stuff I tried to port and upscale with. It's so bittersweet in a way, to see him go. But I've heard he's been modding with other games, and been enjoying so. So I really hope he's just having some good fun.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

"boat" means: A craft used for transportation of goods, fishing, racing, recreational cruising, or military use on or in the water, propelled by oars or o.... This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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Australia

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