tugboat

[ tuhg-boht ]

noun

1. a small, powerful boat for towing or pushing ships, barges, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tugboat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; tug + boat

Example Sentences

The deaths of two men when a tugboat capsized on the Clyde near Greenock was caused by a "breakdown" in safety procedures, an accident report has found.

From BBC

Controllers will allow the orbit of the ISS to naturally decay over a period of time, and after removing the last crew will command the tugboat to execute the final de-orbit manoeuvre.

From BBC

Soon after the spillage occurred, the authorities suggested the tanker had originated in Panama and had been towed by a tugboat.

From BBC

The coastguard says it has located and detained Ceres I, sailing under the flag of São Tomé and Príncipe, and two tugboats that were towing the vessel off the country's eastern coast.

From BBC

We put a minimum of two tugboats on every ship that comes into this port.

From Los Angeles Times