Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Pontoon
Pon-toon′
,Noun.
[F.
ponton
(cf. It. pontone
), from L. ponto
, -onis
, fr. pons
, pontis
, a bridge, perhaps originally, a way, path: cf. Gr. [GREEK] 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.
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.
Pontoon bridge
, a bridge formed with pontoons.
– Pontoon train
, the carriages of the pontoons, and the materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge.
☞ The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific works, but pontoon is more common form.
Webster 1828 Edition
Pontoon
PONTOON'
,Noun.
1.
A flat-bottomed boat, whose frame of wood is covered and lined with tin, or covered with copper; used in forming bridges over rivers for armies.2.
A lighter; a low flat vessel resembling a barge, furnished with cranes, capstans and other machinery; used in careening ships, chiefly in the Mediterranean.Pontoon-bridge, is a bridge formed with pontoons, anchored or made fast in two lines, about five feet asunder.
Pontoon-Carriage, is made with two wheels only, and two long side pieces, whose fore ends are supported by timbers.