pontoon1

[pon-toon] /pɒnˈtun/
noun
1.
Military. a boat or some other floating structure used as one of the supports for a temporary bridge over a river.
2.
a float for a derrick, landing stage, etc.
3.
Nautical. a float for raising a sunken or deeply laden vessel in the water; a camel or caisson.
4.
a seaplane float.
Also, ponton
[pon-tn] /ˈpɒn tn/ (Show IPA).
Origin
1585-95; < French ponton < Latin pontōn- (stem of pontō) flat-bottomed boat, punt

pontoon2

[pon-toon] /pɒnˈtun/
noun, British
1.
the card game twenty-one.
Origin
1915-20; alteration of French vingt-et-un twenty-one
Examples from the web for pontoon
  • pontoon boats are made available for rent so guests can view the majestic scenery from the surrounding waters.
  • Water equipment rentals--such as pontoon boats and ski boats--are available through the hotel.
  • Guests can rent a boat or pontoon by the day or week.
  • pontoon boat and canoe rentals are available at the nearby marina.
  • The full service marina supplies motor, ski and pontoon boats for rent.
  • pontoon boats are a leisurely way to explore the lake and provide a deck for fishing and entertaining.
  • You'll find everything from small skiffs to larger barges and pontoon tour boats.
  • The resort offers pontoon and boat rentals and boat slips.
  • Amenities include a waterfront deck along with pontoon and paddleboat rentals.
  • The lake allows boats and the marina rents fishing boats and pontoon boats.
British Dictionary definitions for pontoon

pontoon1

/pɒnˈtuːn/
noun
1.
  1. a watertight float or vessel used where buoyancy is required in water, as in supporting a bridge, in salvage work, or where a temporary or mobile structure is required in military operations
  2. (as modifier): a pontoon bridge
2.
(nautical) a float, often inflatable, for raising a vessel in the water
Word Origin
C17: from French ponton, from Latin pontō punt, floating bridge, from pōns bridge

pontoon2

/pɒnˈtuːn/
noun
1.
Also called (esp US) twenty-one, vingt-et-un. a gambling game in which players try to obtain card combinations worth 21 points
2.
(in this game) the combination of an ace with a ten or court card when dealt to a player as his first two cards
Word Origin
C20: probably an alteration of French vingt-et-un, literally: twenty-one
Word Origin and History for pontoon
n.

"flat-bottomed boat" (especially one to support a temporary bridge), 1670s, from French pontoon, from Old French ponton (14c.) "bridge, drawbridge, boat-bridge; flat-bottomed boat," from Latin pontonem (nominative ponto) "flat-bottomed boat," from pons "bridge" (see pons). Pontoon bridge is first recorded 1778.