cruise

¹

[ krooz ]

verb (used without object)

, cruised, cruis·ing.

1. to sail about on a pleasure trip.
2. to sail about, as a warship patrolling a body of water.
3. to travel about without a particular purpose or destination.
4. to fly, drive, or sail at a constant speed that permits maximum operating efficiency for sustained travel.
5. to travel at a moderately fast, easily controllable speed:

   cruising along the highway enjoying the scenery.

6. to travel about slowly, looking for customers or for something demanding attention:

   Taxis and police cars cruise in the downtown area.

7. to go or travel (often followed by over ):

   Let's cruise over to my house after the concert.

8. Informal. to go about on the streets or in public areas in search of a sexual partner.

verb (used with object)

, cruised, cruis·ing.

1. to cruise in (a specified area):

   patrol cars cruising the neighborhood; to cruise the Caribbean.

2. Informal.
   1. to move slowly through or visit (a street, park, bar, etc.) in search of a sexual partner.
   2. to make sexual overtures to; attempt to arouse the sexual interest of.
3. to inspect (a tract of forest) for the purpose of estimating lumber potential.

noun

1. the act of cruising.
2. a pleasure voyage on a ship, usually with stops at various ports.

Cruise

²

[ krooz ]

noun

1. Tom Thomas Cruise Mapother, 4th, born 1962, U.S. film actor.

cruise

¹

/ kruːz /

verb

1. intr to make a trip by sea in a liner for pleasure, usually calling at a number of ports
2. to sail or travel over (a body of water) for pleasure in a yacht, cruiser, etc
3. intr to search for enemy vessels in a warship
4. intr (of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel) to travel at a moderate and efficient speed
5. informal.
   intr to search the streets or other public places for a sexual partner

noun

1. an act or instance of cruising, esp a trip by sea

Cruise

²

/ kruːz /

noun

1. CruiseTom1970MUSFILMS AND TV: actor Tom. original name Thomas Cruise Mapother. born 1962, US film actor; his films include Risky Business (1983), Top Gun (1986), Jerry Maguire (1989), Eyes Wide Shut (1999), War of the Worlds (2005), and Valkyrie (2008)

Other Words From

• cruising·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruise¹

1645–55; < Dutch kruisen to cross, cruise, derivative of kruis cross

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruise¹

C17: from Dutch kruisen to cross, from cruis cross ; related to French croiser to cross, cruise, Spanish cruzar, German kreuzen

Example Sentences

There is even a cruise line offering four-year trips to people looking to avoid a second Trump term on the mainland.

From Salon

John Prescott, the Labour Party stalwart who rose from being a steward on a cruise ship to serving as deputy prime minister for a record ten years, has died at the age of 86.

From BBC

As a teenager, Mr. Prescott became a steward on a cruise ship, embarking on a career at sea that was to shape his rise in politics.

From New York Times

Ukraine said it shot down six of the cruise missiles.

From New York Times

Missing three potential starters, the Eagles still cruised to a 68-24 victory over Corona Centennial, showing off strong shooting and a strong defense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• jaunt
• journey
• sailing