pontoon

1 of 2

noun (1)

pon·​toon pän-ˈtün 

1

: a flat-bottomed boat (such as a lighter)

especially : a flat-bottomed boat or portable float used in building a floating temporary bridge

2

: a float especially of a seaplane

pontoon

2 of 2

noun (2)

British

: blackjack sense 1

Examples of pontoon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Families who like watersports can head to the on-site Lake Austin for kayaks, paddle boats, fishing, and pontoon tours. —Jamie Davis Smith, USA TODAY, 4 July 2024

The automobile’s pontoon fenders and single rumble seat are esoteric enhancements, while the lack of door handles only further refines the extremely clean lines. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024

The electric lights strung up on his friend’s support pontoon boat caught fire and were destroyed. —Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024

The list of activities continues with archery, horseback and pony riding, swamp buggy airboat rides, a pontoon cruise, a petting farm, and trap and skeet shooting. —Gina Kramer, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

French ponton, from Old French, from Latin ponton-, ponto

Noun (2)

perhaps alteration of vingt-et-un

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1917, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pontoon

• pontoon bridge
• pontoon plane

Kids Definition

pontoon

noun

pon·​toon

pän-ˈtün

1

: a flat-bottomed boat

2

: a float used in building a floating bridge

3

: a float of an airplane

Etymology

Noun

from French ponton "a floating bridge, punt," from Latin ponton-, ponto (same meaning), from pont-, pons "bridge" — related to punt entry 1