Barge

/bɑːdʒ/

nounBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A large, flat-bottomed boat, typically used for carrying goods on canals or rivers.

/bɑːdʒ/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A large, flat-bottomed boat used for carrying freight.

The barge slowly navigated the narrow canal.

💡 Simply: A big boat for carrying things.

More Examples

2

A tugboat pulled the barge towards the harbor.

How It's Used

Transportation

"The barge carried tons of coal down the river."

Maritime

"A fleet of barges was moored at the dock."

2

To move forcefully or rudely into a place or situation.

/bɑːdʒ/

verbnegativeIntermediate
General

To push or force one's way rudely.

She barged past me without saying a word.

💡 Simply: To push rudely.

More Examples

2

Don't barge in on our conversation.

How It's Used

Informal

"He barged into the room without knocking."

Tip:Imagine someone rudely pushing their way through a crowd.

From Old North French *barge, from Old Norse *bǫrgr 'boat'.

Barges have been used for centuries to transport goods on waterways. Their design has evolved over time, adapting to different technologies and needs.

Memory tip

Think of a large, flat barge carrying cargo.

Word Origin

LanguageOld Norse
Original meaning

"boat"

canal bargeriver bargebarge trafficbarge in

Common misspellings

bargbargeing

Usage

20%Spoken
80%Written