pontoon
noun /pɒnˈtuːn/
/pɑːnˈtuːn/
- [countable] a temporary floating platform built across several boats or hollow structures, especially one used for tying boats to
- [countable] a boat or hollow structure that is one of several used to support a floating platform or bridge
- a pontoon bridge
- (British English) (also blackjack British and North American English)[uncountable] a card game in which players try to collect cards with a total value of 21 and no more
Word Originsense 3 early 20th cent.: probably an alteration of vingt-et-un ‘twenty-one’.senses 1 to 2 late 17th cent.: from French ponton, from Latin ponto, ponton-, from pons, pont- ‘bridge’.