chombo

Chombo is a Swahili noun meaning vessel, boat, or ship. It refers to any watercraft used for transport or fishing, ranging from small canoes to larger ships, and it can also denote a container in broader contexts. The word is common in coastal East Africa and appears in everyday speech, maritime vocabulary, and regional journalism.

In standard Swahili, chombo forms the plural vyombo. The term is frequently encountered in discussions of fishing, transport, and naval matters, as well as in literary and educational materials that describe boats or seafaring life. Although primarily maritime, chombo can be used in figurative expressions to convey the idea of carrying or containing something, depending on context.

Chombo also appears as a personal or place-name in some African communities, reflecting its status as a common noun that has become part of proper naming in certain regions.