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watercraft

watercraft

4 3.9
A boat or ship that carries people and things on water
  • noun
  • /ˈwɔːtərkræft/
translation icon : embarcación
  • During the summer, families often enjoy sailing their watercraft on the ocean.
  • personal watercraft
  • watercraft users

Examples

  • The boatman swallowed, then returned to his seat behind the wheel of the watercraft and triggered the engine to life.

    Blog text (34)
  • The park allows the use of motorized watercraft for fishing and recreation.

  • The technology can enhance performance for a variety of watercraft, including those used in search and rescue and in research, he added.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The place could be reached by private watercraft, but there were no scheduled ferries coming and going.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Those who enjoy photographing watercraft and marine subjects have plenty of material as well.

    Academic text (2003)
  • We dock our watercraft on the riverbank that will serve as tonight's campsite.

    Blog text (6)
  • Earlier this year, a man swam ashore at New York's Kennedy Airport after his personal watercraft ran out of gas.

    Blog text (10)
  • Lexi Youngberg, 16, was riding on a small watercraft with two of her friends when suddenly a large motorboat collided with them.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The lake is perfect for small watercraft like canoes and kayaks.

Synonyms

ship
vswatercraft
1.0

A large boat that carries people or goods across the sea

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
vessel
vswatercraft
698 3.3

A large boat or ship used for travel on water

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
craft
vswatercraft
141 4.6

A vehicle that travels on water, in air, or in space

is limited to vehicles used specifically for travel on water
ferry
vswatercraft
137 1.3

A boat or ship that carries people, cars, and goods across water on a regular schedule

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
fishing boat
vswatercraft
32 1.1

A boat used for catching fish that often has a space to keep the fish alive

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
houseboat
vswatercraft
21 2.8

A boat that people live in as their home on the water

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
riverboat
vswatercraft
18 2.5

A boat that travels on a river, often used for tours or fun

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
hovercraft
vswatercraft
  • Specialized
11 6.4

A vehicle that travels over water or land on a layer of air

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
fishing vessel
vswatercraft
  • Specialized
6 3.2

A boat or ship used to catch fish, often with tanks to keep the fish alive

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
airboat
vswatercraft
4 4.6

A flat-bottomed boat with a big fan that moves over shallow water and marshes

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
powerboat
vswatercraft
4 3.7

A fast boat with a motor used for racing or quick trips

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
ferryboat
vswatercraft
3 2.6

A boat that carries people and cars across water on a regular route

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
sailing vessel
vswatercraft
2 3.7

A boat with sails that uses wind to move

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
surface ship
vswatercraft
  • Specialized
2 4.9

A military ship that moves and fights on the water's surface, not underwater

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
hydroplane
vswatercraft
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A fast boat with winglike parts that lift the boat above water

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
car-ferry
vswatercraft
1 2.7

A boat that carries cars and other vehicles across water

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
johnboat
vswatercraft
  • US
1 7.6

A small flat-bottom boat that people use in shallow water for fishing

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
workboat
vswatercraft
1 3.4

A strong boat built to carry goods, equipment, or people for tasks at sea

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
motor yacht
vswatercraft
1 3.5

A large private boat with engines used for pleasure cruising

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
sport boat
vswatercraft
1 3.1

A small boat used for fun activities like racing or water skiing

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
hydrofoil
vswatercraft
1 7.2

A fast boat that rises above the water on winglike plates so it can travel faster

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
sea boat
vswatercraft
1 3.1

A small ship that travels safely on the open sea

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
river boat
vswatercraft
1 2.9

A boat that carries people or goods along a river

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
wherry
vswatercraft
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A long narrow boat used on rivers to carry people or goods

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
ship's boat
vswatercraft
  • Specialized
4.2

A small boat that a ship carries to move people between ship and shore

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
fishboat
vswatercraft
2.8

A boat used for catching or carrying fish

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
iceboat
vswatercraft
7.5

A ship with an extra strong front that breaks ice to open a path

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
surfboat
vswatercraft
  • Specialized
6.7

A strong boat made to go through heavy waves to save people

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
sea rover
vswatercraft
8.9

A boat that people use to explore remote or unknown sea areas

is the general vehicle type for travel on water
water scooter
vswatercraft
3.2

A small motor boat you ride like a scooter on water

is the general vehicle type for travel on water

How Big

ship
1.0
yacht
130 5.3
watercraft
4 3.9
boat
1.0
to kayak
3 2.7
dinghy
18 4.8

Surface Forms

watercraft singular
watercrafts plural

Morphology

watercraft = water + craft (transparent) = water + craft

A literal, productive compound of 'water' + 'craft' meaning a vehicle for travel on water, which is directly inferable by learners.

Etymology

The word watercraft comes from water ('water') and craft ('skill' or 'vehicle'), and you can see craft in words like aircraft and spacecraft. So a watercraft is a vehicle for travel on water.