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Definition of rustbucket

rustbucket

/ˈrʌstˌbʌk.ɪt/
rust · buck · et
Plural:rustbuckets
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rustbucket Lexical Profile

rustbucket Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An old, dilapidated, or badly corroded vehicle, ship, or aircraft (informal).

Example

"He spent the entire summer restoring that old rustbucket in his parents' garage until the engine finally purred."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for rustbucket

• Nearby Words

russian tortoise
rust
rustbelt
rustbucket
rustic
rustily
rustiness

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in early 20th-century naval slang (especially within the U.S. Navy) as a humorous nickname for old, corroding destroyers before broadening to describe any dilapidated automobile or aircraft.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rustbucket. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rustbucket
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