rustbucket

[ ruhst-buhk-it ]
/ ˈrʌstˌbʌk ɪt /

noun Slang.

an old, run-down freighter, especially one whose hull is covered with rust.

Origin of rustbucket

First recorded in 1940–45; rust + bucket

British Dictionary definitions for rust bucket

rust bucket

noun

slang something that is run-down or dilapidated, esp a very badly rusted car

adjective rustbucket

informal run-down or dilapidated rustbucket factories