Definition

Noun: 1. A type of sailboat: A catamaran is a boat, typically a sailboat, with two parallel hulls of equal size that are connected by a single deck or frame. This design provides stability and speed compared to single-hulled boats.

Usage and Examples

• As a noun:
  • We rented a catamaran for a day of sailing around the island.
  • The stability of the catamaran makes it ideal for beginners.
  • Modern racing catamarans can reach incredible speeds.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Design Context: In naval architecture, "catamaran" specifically refers to the twin-hull design principle, which can be applied to ferries, warships, and passenger vessels, not just sailboats.
  • The new passenger ferry is a high-speed catamaran.

Variants and Related Words

• Trimaran (noun): A boat with three parallel hulls.
• Monohull (noun): A boat with a single hull (the traditional design, opposite of a catamaran).

Synonyms

• Twin-hull boat.
• Twin-hulled sailboat.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary and standard modern meaning in English is the twin-hulled boat. The reference to "a quarrelsome woman" is an archaic, colloquial, and now largely obsolete usage not found in contemporary standard English.

Noun

1. a sailboat with two parallel hulls held together by single deck