sponson

[ spon-suhn ]

noun

1. a structure projecting from the side or main deck of a vessel to support a gun or the outer edge of a paddle box.
2. a buoyant appendage at the gunwale of a canoe to resist capsizing.
3. Aeronautics. a protuberance at the side of a flying-boat hull, designed to increase lateral stability in the water.

sponson

/ ˈspɒnsən /

noun

1. navy an outboard support for a gun enabling it to fire fore and aft
2. a semicircular gun turret on the side of a tank
3. a float or flotation chamber along the gunwale of a boat or ship
4. a structural projection from the side of a paddle steamer for supporting a paddle wheel
5. a structural unit attached to a helicopter fuselage by fixed struts, housing the main landing gear and inflatable flotation bags

Word History and Origins

Origin of sponson¹

First recorded in 1825–35; variant of expansion

Word History and Origins

Origin of sponson¹

C19: perhaps from expansion

Example Sentences

The cutter jingled her full-speed bell while the tackle was still lifting the sponson boat.

From Project Gutenberg

He leaned on the rail and watched the departure of the officer of the faded blue cap with his crew of the sponson boat.

From Project Gutenberg

An eager gunner endeavoured to pass one of the tanks, but his gun caught the sponson and slipped off into the mud.

From Project Gutenberg

His tun of a torso bulged roundly out in front of me like the sponson of a battleship.

From Project Gutenberg

A bomb exploded directly beneath the sponson, where the dead body had fallen.

From Project Gutenberg