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Sternwheeler: meaning, definitions and examples

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sternwheeler

 

[ ˈstɜːrnwiːlər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

river transportation

A sternwheeler is a type of steamboat that is propelled by a paddlewheel at the stern (rear) of the boat. Sternwheelers were commonly used for transportation on rivers in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Synonyms

paddlewheel steamboat, riverboat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sternwheeler

Used primarily to refer to a boat that is powered by a paddle wheel located at the stern of the vessel. Suitable for historical or technical conversations about early transportation on rivers.

  • The sternwheeler was a common sight on the Mississippi River in the 19th century.
  • They restored an old sternwheeler to showcase at the maritime museum.
paddlewheel steamboat

A more general term for a steamboat that is powered by paddle wheels. Appropriate for describing a variety of such boats, not limited to those with stern paddle wheels.

  • Tours on a replica paddlewheel steamboat are popular among tourists.
  • The innovation of the paddlewheel steamboat revolutionized river travel.
riverboat

A broad term that can describe any type of boat designed for river travel. Often used in casual conversation or when specific details about the boat type are not necessary.

  • We spent the afternoon cruising on a riverboat.
  • The riverboat casino is one of the main attractions in the area.

Examples of usage

  • The Mississippi River was once bustling with sternwheelers transporting goods and people.
  • The sternwheeler chugged along the river, its paddlewheel churning up the water.
  • The design of the sternwheeler allowed it to navigate shallow waters more easily than other boats.

Translations

Translations of the word "sternwheeler" in other languages:

🇵🇹 barco a vapor com rodas de pás

🇮🇳 पैडल व्हीलर

🇩🇪 Schaufelraddampfer

🇮🇩 kapal uap beroda dayung

🇺🇦 колісний пароплав

🇵🇱 parowiec kołowy

🇯🇵 外輪船

🇫🇷 bateau à roues à aubes

🇪🇸 barco de ruedas de paletas

🇹🇷 çalpara buharlı gemisi

🇰🇷 외륜선

🇸🇦 قارب ذو عجلة مجداف

🇨🇿 kolesový parník

🇸🇰 kolesový parník

🇨🇳 明轮船

🇸🇮 kolesni parnik

🇮🇸 skútu með hjólum

🇰🇿 педальды доңғалақты кеме

🇬🇪 დამოუკიდებელი პადლი

🇦🇿 çarxlı buxar gəmisi

🇲🇽 barco de ruedas de paletas

Etymology

The sternwheeler, also known as a paddlewheel steamboat, has its origins in the early 19th century in the United States. These boats played a crucial role in the transportation of goods and passengers along rivers, especially in regions where shallow waters made conventional propeller-driven boats impractical. Sternwheelers were a common sight during the era of steamboat travel, with some famous examples including those on the Mississippi River. While their popularity declined with the advent of more modern forms of transportation, sternwheelers remain an iconic symbol of a bygone era.

See also: stern, sterner, sternly, sternness.