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

A new Disney cruise ship has rescued four people from a sinking catamaran more than 200 miles from Bermuda.

From BBC

CalMac is currently maintaining ferry services to Arran using the Ferguson-built MV Isle of Arran - nicknamed the "Auld Trooper" because it is 40 years old - and a catamaran MV Alfred which is being chartered at a cost of £1m per month.

From BBC

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

"The catamaran's owner suffered burns to his arms and the top of his head."

From BBC

Related Words

• raft
• sailboat