Steamboat (noun)

1. A boat propelled by a steam engine, used especially in the 19th century for transportation on waterways.
2. A riverboat powered by steam.

Origin:

Derived from the verb 'to steam', the term 'steamboat' was first used in the early 19th century to refer to boats powered by steam-driven engines.

Examples:

1. The steamboat was the quickest and most efficient way to travel up and down the Mississippi River in the mid-19th century.
2. In Mark Twain's 'Life on the Mississippi', the author wrote about his experiences as a steamboat pilot on the river.
3. The first successful steamboat, the Clermont, was designed and built by Robert Fulton in 1807.
4. The steamboat era on the Mississippi River ended with the arrival of railroads in the late 19th century.
5. The nostalgic sound of the steamboat whistle can still be heard on some waterways, where modern-day steamboats offer tours and dining experiences.