boatload

Everyday

1. The number of people or the amount of goods a boat can carry or is carrying. tree →
2. (informal) A very large number or amount of something: «a boatload of homework». tree →

In the lessons

In history: boatloads of settlers, convicts or refugees crossing the sea. In maths problems: «Each boatload holds 12 people; how many boatloads for 60 people?» – a division problem, and you must round up if there is a remainder, because a part-full boat still has to make a trip. Informally it means «lots». Phrases: «a boatload of», «by the boatload».

Examples

• A boatload of tourists arrived at the island. tree →
• The first boatloads of convicts reached Australia in 1788. tree →
• The ferry can take a boatload of 40 cars. tree →
• We got a boatload of presents for my birthday! tree →
• If each boatload holds 8 children, 30 children need 4 boatloads. tree →
• Fish were brought to the harbour by the boatload. tree →

Note

Countable: one boatload, two boatloads. Maths trap: 30 ÷ 8 = 3 remainder 6, so you need 4 boatloads, not 3. The informal «a boatload of» means «a lot of» and is not used in formal writing.