bateau

noun

ba·​teau ba-ˈtō How to pronounce bateau (audio)
variants or less commonly batteau
plural bateaux ba-ˈtō(z) How to pronounce bateau (audio) also batteaux
: any of various small craft
especially : a flat-bottomed boat with raked bow and stern and flaring sides

Examples of bateau in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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On the first canvas, two women in straw hats navigate a bateau, or small boat, down a creek; on the second, a woman gazes out over the water, the reeds licking at the hem of her dress. Latria Graham, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 May 2023 The model and reality television star wore an ivory minidress featuring a bateau neckline and three-quarter sleeves with a corset-like fit at the waist. Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 26 June 2023 The bateau cut, a neckline Meghan Markle often wears, conveys elegance without any extra embellishments. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 15 Mar. 2023 In fact, Smith was practically raised on a bateau thanks to his father, Ralph, the festival chairman for 15 years. Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2022 See all Example Sentences for bateau 

Word History

Etymology

Canadian French, from French, from Old French batel, from Old English bāt boat — more at boat

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bateau was in 1711

Dictionary Entries Near bateau

Cite this Entry

“Bateau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bateau. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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