Gondola, << GON duh luh, >> is a long, slender boat used on the canals of Venice, Italy. An old law requires that all gondolas, except those belonging to high officials, be painted black. The gondolier pushes the boat through the water with a long sweep (narrow-bladed oar). Today in Venice, gasoline launches have replaced gondolas for light freight transportation. Tourists now prefer motorboat taxis to gondolas for sightseeing in the city. See also Venice .
