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

It involved a private island tour, catamaran cruise, visiting Rihanna’s childhood home and more.

From Essence.com

We were about to sail back to Puerto Vallarta, but the catamaran barely moved.

From Washington Blade

I think the crew just didn’t know how to maneuver the catamaran very well, the sea was not very rough nor was it too windy.

From Washington Blade

I can paddle my catamaran against both wind and tide; why cannot you do the same?

From Project Gutenberg

They never tired, I think, of seeing me handle my giant “catamaran” and the (to them) mysterious harpoon.

From Project Gutenberg

We also started building a catamaran, with which to navigate the river when the floods had subsided.

From Project Gutenberg

She had easily forced a way for the catamaran through the branches, and once past, had drawn them together again.

From Project Gutenberg

Yamba cried out to me to lie flat on the catamaran, and hold on as tightly as I could until we reached smooth water again.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• raft
• sailboat