cruiser

[ kroo-zer ]

noun

1. a person or thing that cruises.
2. one of a class of warships of medium tonnage, designed for high speed and long cruising radius.
3. squad car.
4. a vessel, especially a power-driven one, intended for cruising.
5. cabin cruiser.
6. Also called timber cruiser. a person who estimates the value of the timber in a tract of forest.
7. Slang. a prostitute who walks the street soliciting customers.

cruiser

/ ˈkruːzə /

noun

1. a high-speed, long-range warship of medium displacement, armed with medium calibre weapons or missiles
2. Also calledcabin cruiser a pleasure boat, esp one that is power-driven and has a cabin
3. any person or thing that cruises
4. boxing cruiserweight See light heavyweight

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruiser¹

1670–80; < Dutch kruiser, equivalent to kruis ( en ) to cruise + -er -er ¹

Example Sentences

Just how did the story of the "cursed cruiser" unfold?

From BBC

Police enquiries initially centred around pleasure cruiser the Dorset Belle but a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter faced no action.

From BBC

The cruisers are hoping it will be plain sailing from here on in and they can finally start to enjoy their round-the-world trip which will see them sailing international waters for the next three years.

From BBC

He wrangled summer internships at the outlet, delivering scripts and Coca-Colas to anchors and riding in the back of the news cruiser.

From Los Angeles Times

The suspect drove away and crashed into a police vehicle that had been responding to the incident shortly after 11:30 p.m., igniting the police cruiser in flames.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• battleship
• corvette
• cutter
• destroyer
• frigate
• gunboat
• submarine