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outboard motor
noun
: a small internal combustion engine with propeller integrally attached for mounting at the stern of a small boat
Examples of outboard motor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Enlarge Evan Williams Aimed at recreational users, the e-outboard concept combines a lightweight electric outboard motor with a modular battery pack.
—Evan Williams, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023
Most fishing ships do not carry skiffs, which are small boats with outboard motors that enable crew transfers by traversing the water between bigger vessels.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2023
In the video, an angler is seen catching a halibut, in waters near the small fishing village of Hoonah, Alaska, when a lone orca peels off from its pod and makes a beeline for his outboard motor.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 16 Aug. 2023
The boat had only a small outboard motor, which wasn’t powerful enough for so many passengers.
—Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023
Boaters use a deep-cycle marine battery to start and run outboard motors or to power a trolling motor.
—Ric Burnley, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2023
The shark can be seen lunging at the boat's stern, ramming into the outboard motors and thrashing about the water.
—Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 29 July 2023
The tiny but powerful kayak outboard motor runs off a matching lithium-ion battery and generates 30 pounds of thrust.
—Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2023
Taking the Shot While Alligator Hunting Some hunters swear by using a boat’s outboard motor to idle to within range of alligators, with the rationale being that the big reptiles hear the sounds of recreational boat traffic all the time, and are thus used to it.
—Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 1 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outboard motor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1909, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near outboard motor
Cite this Entry
“Outboard motor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outboard%20motor. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
outboard motor
noun
: a small internal-combustion engine with propeller attached for mounting at the stern of a small boat
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