- Pontoon bridge
- Pontoon Pon*toon", n. [F. ponton (cf. It. pontone), from L.
ponto, -onis, fr. pons, pontis, a bridge, perhaps originally,
a way, path: cf. Gr. ? 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.
[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
{Pontoon bridge}, a bridge formed with pontoons.
{Pontoon train}, the carriages of the pontoons, and the materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge. [1913 Webster]
Note: The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific works, but pontoon is more common form. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.