riverboat
UK: ˈrɪvəbəʊt | US: ˈrɪvərboʊt
n. a boat designed for use on rivers
The word "riverboat" is a straightforward compound of "river" (from Old English rīfer, meaning "flowing water body") and "boat" (from Old English bāt, meaning "vessel"). It emerged in English to describe vessels specifically built for navigating rivers, combining the functional purpose ("river") with the vehicle type ("boat"). This logical construction reflects the practical naming tradition in English for specialized transport (e.g., "airplane," "steamboat").
The Mississippi riverboat glided smoothly along the water.
We took a scenic tour on an old-fashioned riverboat.
Riverboats were essential for trade in the 19th century.
The casino riverboat offered dining and entertainment.
Engineers designed the riverboat to handle shallow currents.