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

Aside from the scheduled sailings, the crew would voluntarily give up their time to put on several special "booze cruises" to raise money for island charities.

From BBC

A train cruises by their window at night like a caterpillar, the yellow windows of separate lives in other buildings illuminating its way.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 100 people have submitted claims for compensation after falling ill on a cruise ship.

From BBC

The company’s so-called experiences division, which consists of its theme parks, cruise line, luxury travel experiences and merchandise, contributed nearly 60% of Disney’s operating income this fiscal year.

From Los Angeles Times

Residential cruise operator Villa Vie Residences invites travelers onto the Villa Vie Odyssey for a journey that ranges from one to four years, with stops in more than 400 destinations, USA Today reports.

From Salon

Related Words

• jaunt
• journey
• sailing