Barge vs. Tow — What's the Difference?

A barge is a shoal-draft flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of bulk goods. Originally barges were towed by draft horses on an adjacent towpath.

To draw or pull behind by a chain or line

A long, large, usually flatbottom boat for transporting freight that is generally unpowered and towed or pushed by other craft.

The act or an instance of towing

A large, open pleasure boat used for parties, pageants, or formal ceremonies.

Something, such as a tugboat, that tows.

A powerboat reserved for the use of an admiral.

Something, such as a barge or car, that is towed.

To carry by barge.

A rope or cable used in towing.

To move about clumsily.

Coarse broken flax or hemp fiber.

To intrude or interrupt, especially rudely

A continuous untwisted bundle of manufactured fibers.

A large flat-bottomed towed or self-propelled boat used mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods or bulk cargo.

(transitive) To pull something behind one using a line or chain; to haul.

A richly decorated ceremonial state vessel propelled by rowers for river processions.

To aid someone behind by shielding them from wind resistance.

A large flat-bottomed coastal trading vessel having a large spritsail and jib-headed topsail, a fore staysail and a very small mizen, and having leeboards instead of a keel.

The act of towing and the condition of being towed.

One of the boats of a warship having fourteen oars

Something, such as a tugboat, that tows.

The wooden disk in which bread or biscuit is placed on a mess table.

Something, such as a barge, that is towed.

(US) A double-decked passenger or freight vessel, towed by a steamboat.

A rope or cable used in towing.

A large omnibus used for excursions.

(motor racing) A speed increase given by driving in front of another car on a straight, which causes a slipstream for the car behind.

To intrude or break through, particularly in an unwelcome or clumsy manner.

An untwisted bundle of fibres such as cellulose acetate, flax, hemp or jute.

(transitive) To push someone.

(specifically) The short, coarse, less desirable fibres separated by hackling from the finer longer fibres (line).

A pleasure boat; a vessel or boat of state, elegantly furnished and decorated.

The coarse and broken part of flax or hemp, separated from the finer part by the hatchel or swingle.

A large, roomy boat for the conveyance of passengers or goods; as, a ship's barge; a charcoal barge.

A rope by which anything is towed; a towline, or towrope.

A large boat used by flag officers.

The act of towing, or the state of being towed; - chiefly used in the phrase, to take in tow, that is to tow.

A double-decked passenger or freight vessel, towed by a steamboat.

That which is towed, or drawn by a towline, as a barge, raft, collection of boats, ect.

A large omnibus used for excursions.

To draw or pull through the water, as a vessel of any kind, by means of a rope.

A flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)

The act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope;

Push one's way;

Drag behind;

Transport by barge on a body of water