BOATSWAIN Definition & Meaning

boatswain

[ boh-suhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a warrant officer on a warship, or a petty officer on a merchant vessel, in charge of rigging, anchors, cables, etc.

boatswain

/ ˈ��əʊ��ə�� /

noun

a petty officer on a merchant ship or a warrant officer on a warship who is responsible for the maintenance of the ship and its equipment

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Pronunciation Note

The spelling pronunciation [boht, -sweyn] is almost never used.

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of boatswain¹

First recorded in 1400–50, boatswain is from the late Middle English word bote-swayn. See boat, swain

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of boatswain¹

Old English ��ٲ��ɱ𲵱�� ; see boat , swain

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Mr. Potts, a 20-year-old crane operator with the rank of boatswain’s mate, had been on leave in Honolulu for two days.

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The other 30 to 40 crew members, including chefs, officers, stewards, engineers, boatswains and deckhands, work year-round with all expenses paid, often even including offshore bar tabs.

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As a former Navy boatswain’s mate, he has not.

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The boatswain, unmanned for the first time, respectfully dried his eyes on the Jack, and then cheering up, and addressing Mr. Wopsle as Your Honour, solicited permission to take him by the fin.

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That changed with USS Gerald R. Ford last month - all the deck department sailors assigned to the boatswain’s mates bridge watch teams were women.

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