# pontoon

/pɑnˈtun/ (US) · /pəntˈuːn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pontoon
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a flat, floating platform used to carry people or things across water. It can also be a long, flat boat used to carry vehicles or heavy equipment.

For teachers: a flat, floating platform or a long, flat-bottomed boat used for transporting vehicles or heavy cargo across water. Often used in military or industrial contexts for bridging or ferrying.

## Examples

- The soldiers used a pontoon to cross the river.
- The construction crew built a temporary bridge using several large pontoons to reach the island.
- During the amphibious assault, the naval forces deployed a series of heavy-duty pontoons to create a stable landing platform for the armored vehicles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.