barge

Everyday

1. A barge is a long boat with a flat bottom used to carry heavy loads on rivers and canals. tree →
2. (informal verb) To barge means to push roughly or rudely past people or into a place. tree →
3. To barge in means to interrupt or enter rudely without being asked. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and history lessons barges carry coal, sand or goods along canals and rivers; maths problems may ask how many tonnes a barge carries. In stories and manners lessons barging in is rude. Phrases: «barge in», «barge into», «barge past», «a canal barge».

Examples

• A barge carried sand along the canal. tree →
• The barge can carry 300 tonnes; how many trips for 1,200 tonnes? tree →
• Some families live on narrow barges. tree →
• Don't barge in while I'm on the phone! tree →
• He barged past me in the queue. tree →
• The dog barged into the kitchen. tree →
• Here a splendid barge was waiting for them, and from it they watched all sorts of races and feats of swimming and diving. tree →

Note

Countable noun: a barge, barges. The verb is informal and shows rude, clumsy movement. In the UK a narrow canal boat is a «narrowboat», though people often call it a barge.