towboat
1
4.6
- noun
- /ˈtoʊˌboʊt/
- US
- Construction of a towboat at Horizon Shipbuilding.
- barge and towboat
- towboat operator
- captain of the towboat
Examples
-
As the sun set, the towboat resumed its journey, maneuvering multiple barges in tow.
-
I got a kick out of touring their towboat built in 1952.
Blog text (26) -
These towboats can push as many as 30 barges at one time.
Blog text (14) -
To move and guide so much cumulative weight at once, modern towboats need plenty of horsepower.
Blog text (14) -
A massive marine diesel engine from Caterpillar is being installed inside the engine compartment of a towboat.
Blog text (14) -
At the cross streets, he could see on the river a towboat pushing a line of barges slowly upstream, black smoke gushing from its stacks.
Fiction book (1992) -
Most towboats use two diesel engines with up to 3,000 hp or more per engine to produce the torque and power needed to safely direct the barges.
Blog text (14) -
towboat pulled the heavy barge smoothly along the river.
-
towboat made a sharp turn to navigate around the bend in the canal.
Synonyms
How Powerful
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Towboat comes from the two parts tow ('to pull') and boat, so it is literally a 'pulling boat'. A helpful image is a tow truck on the road that pulls a car; a towboat does the same on the water, pulling or guiding large barges.