# pontoon

> English word · Noun · IPA /pɒnˈtuːn/ · frequency rank #40,842

## Definitions
1. A flat-bottomed boat or other floating structure used as a buoyant support for a temporary bridge, dock or landing stage.
2. A bridge with floating supports.
3. A box used to raise a sunken vessel.
4. A float of a seaplane.
5. A lighter or barge used for loading or unloading ships.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French ponton, from Old French ponton, from Latin pontō, pontōnem (“ferryboat”), from pōns (“bridge”).

## Easily confused with
- **potion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pontoon-vs-potion)
- **portion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/pontoon-vs-portion)
- **platoon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/platoon-vs-pontoon)

## Common misspellings (10)
`opntoon`, `pnotoon`, `ponntoon`, `ponoton`, `ponton`, `pontono`, `pontoonn`, `ponttoon`, `potnoon`, `ppontoon`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/pontoon