“Boat” vs. “Ship”: What’s the Difference?

A line illustration of two people with their mouth open, and a giant question mark between them.

The difference between “boat” and “ship”

  • A boat is smaller than a ship.
  • Boats are typically used for recreation or transportation, while ships are used for commercial or military purposes.
  • Ships are usually powered by engines, while boats may be powered by oars or sails.
Communicate naturally with Engram AI proofreader

What is the definition of “boat” and “ship”?

Boat
  • A boat is a small watercraft that is typically used for recreation or transportation.
  • Boats are powered by oars, sails, or small engines and are usually less than 25 feet (7.6 meters) in length.
  • Boats are often used for fishing, water skiing, or sightseeing.
Ship
  • A ship is a larger watercraft used for commercial or military purposes.
  • Ships are usually powered by engines and can be hundreds of feet long.
  • Ships are used to transport cargo, passengers, or military equipment.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Ship” is the more popular variant on the web.
Boat
581,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I went fishing on my boat this morning and caught a big tuna.
  2. We took a leisurely ride on the boat, enjoying the sunset over the lake.
  3. The stormy weather made the small boat toss and turn, making us all nauseous.
More popular
Ship
833,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The cargo ship unloaded its goods at the port and set off for its next destination.
  2. We embarked on a week-long cruise aboard the luxurious cruise ship, visiting several exotic destinations.
  3. The pirate ship sailed arrogantly, attacking any merchant vessels that crossed its path.
Want to express yourself confidently?
Engram AI proofreader helps you
communicate naturally
An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.

Related articles