catamaran

[ kat-uh-muh-ran, kat-uh-muh-ran ]

noun

1. a vessel, usually propelled by sail, formed of two hulls or floats held side by side by a frame above them. Compare trimaran.
2. a float or sailing raft formed of a number of logs lashed together, used in certain parts of India, South America, etc.
3. Canadian Dialect. a wooden sled.

catamaran

/ ˌkætəməˈræn /

noun

1. a sailing, or sometimes motored, vessel with twin hulls held parallel by a rigid framework
2. a primitive raft made of logs lashed together
3. old-fashioned.
   a quarrelsome woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of catamaran¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from Tamil kaṭṭa-maram “tied wood”

Word History and Origins

Origin of catamaran¹

C17: from Tamil kattumaram tied timber

Example Sentences

The small catamaran, called the Serenity, began to fill with water after suffering a failure on the seal around its escape hatch, ABC News reported.

From BBC

In the morning, catamarans glide up to the beach, kids line up for surf lessons, and golfers head to the courses at Kapalua.

From Los Angeles Times

A spokesperson for Dickie's Marine Services, which operates the facility, said the blaze started on a catamaran which was out of the water at the time.

From BBC

Marine scientist Sharon Gray lives on a catamaran off the Florida west coast.

From Salon

Currently, the club stores its fleet of 70 boats at the docks near Husky Stadium on the east side of campus, including dinghies, keelboats and high-performance catamarans.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• raft
• sailboat