1. A small boat carried on a ship, used for transportation between the ship and shore or for other short trips.
Usage: nautical; also called a jolly boat

Examples

• The crew lowered the jollyboat to ferry supplies from the merchant vessel to the dock.
• The captain ordered the jollyboat prepared for the morning expedition to the nearby island.
• A jollyboat was essential equipment on long ocean voyages for reaching shallow harbors.
• The sailors rowed the jollyboat back to the ship after completing their shore leave.
• The ship's jollyboat was stored on davits and could be deployed within minutes.