pontoon

2 definitions found

pontoon - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Pontoon \Pon*toon"\, n. [F. ponton (cf. It. pontone), from L.
     ponto, -onis, fr. pons, pontis, a bridge, perhaps originally,
     a way, path: cf. Gr. ? path, Skr. path, pathi, panthan. Cf.
     Punt a boat.]
     1. (Mil.) A wooden flat-bottomed boat, a metallic cylinder,
        or a frame covered with canvas, India rubber, etc.,
        forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly
        for the passage of troops.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Naut.) A low, flat vessel, resembling a barge, furnished
        with cranes, capstans, and other machinery, used in
        careening ships, raising weights, drawing piles, etc.,
        chiefly in the Mediterranean; a lighter.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Pontoon bridge, a bridge formed with pontoons.
  
     Pontoon train, the carriages of the pontoons, and the
        materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific
           works, but pontoon is more common form.
           [1913 Webster]

pontoon - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  pontoon
      n 1: (nautical) a floating structure (as a flat-bottomed boat)
           that serves as a dock or to support a bridge
      2: a float supporting a seaplane