boat (boats plural )
1 n-count A boat is something in which people can travel across water.
also by N
One of the best ways to see the area is in a small boat..., The island may be reached by boat from the mainland.
2 n-count You can refer to a passenger ship as a boat.
When the boat reached Cape Town, we said a temporary goodbye.
3
→
gravy boat
→
rowing boat
4 If you say that someone has missed the boat, you mean that they have missed an opportunity and may not get another.
miss the boat phrase V inflects
5 If you push the boat out, you spend a lot of money on something, especially in order to celebrate.
(BRIT)
push the boat out phrase V inflects
I earn enough to push the boat out now and again.
6 If you say that someone isrocking the boat, you mean that they are upsetting a calm situation and causing trouble.
rock the boat phrase V inflects
I said I didn't want to rock the boat in any way.
7 If two or more people are in the same boat, they are in the same unpleasant situation.
in the same boat phrase usu v-link PHR
boat people
Boat people are people who escape from their country in small boats to travel to another country in the hope that they will be able to live there.. n-plural
...50,000 Vietnamese boat people.
boat train (boat trains plural )A boat train is a train that takes you to or from a port. n-count
canal boat (canal boats plural )A canal boat is a long, narrow boat used for travelling on canals. n-count
gravy boat (gravy boats plural )A gravy boat is a long narrow jug that is used to serve gravy. n-count
narrow boat (narrow boats plural ), narrowboat A narrow boat is a long, low boat used on canals.
(BRIT) n-count
(=barge)
paddle boat (paddle boats plural )A paddle boat or a paddle steamer is a large boat that is pushed through the water by the movement of large wheels that are attached to its sides. n-count
pleasure boat (pleasure boats plural )A pleasure boat is a large boat which takes people for trips on rivers, lakes, or on the sea for pleasure. n-count
rowing boat (rowing boats plural ), rowing-boat A rowing boat is a small boat that you move through the water by using oars.
(BRIT) n-count
in AM, use rowboat
sailing boat (sailing boats plural ), sailing-boat A sailing boat is a boat with sails.
(BRIT) n-count
in AM, use sailboat
