cruised; cruising
1
: to sail about touching at a series of ports
2
: to move or proceed speedily, smoothly, or effortlessly
I'll cruise over to her house to see if she's home
3
: to travel without destination or purpose
4
a
: to go about the streets at random but on the lookout for possible developments
the cabdriver cruised for an hour before being hailed
b
: to search (as in public places) for a sexual partner
5
a
of an airplane
: to fly at the most efficient operating speed
b
of an automobile
: to travel at a speed suitable for being maintained for a long distance
1
: to cruise over or about
2
: to inspect (land) with reference to possible lumber yield
3
a
: to search in (a public place) for a sexual partner
b
: to approach and suggest sexual relations to
4
: to explore or search the offerings of
Synonyms
Examples of cruise in a Sentence
Verb
We cruised for a week down the Yangtze River.
He dreams of cruising the Mediterranean.
The bus was cruising at 55 miles per hour.
We were cruising along the highway.
The plane was cruising at 30,000 feet.
On Friday nights, teenagers cruise the main street in town to show off their cars.
A car cruised past us.
Noun
We went on a weeklong cruise down the Yangtze River.
They went on a cruise for their honeymoon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Itzkowitz, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
Hernández wasn’t the biggest driver behind the victory, not after second-year right-hander Bobby Miller cruised through six shutout innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Although traditionally seen as an extravagant choice, cruising today is known just as much for its family-friendly and bargain deals.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
At other points, its cast can be seen bending over backwards in awe, twirling through the air, cruising by on skateboards, and, in one scene, even speeding across the stage on a moped.
—EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
The upcoming Carnival Legend cruise on March 31 will depart and return to Norfolk.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2024
The Dali cargo ship was cruising away from the Port of Baltimore when its lights suddenly went out just after 1:24 a.m. Tuesday.
—Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Specific to cruising, the CDC recommends frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing (more often than on shore) and wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.
—Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024
Shoemaker cruised through the next four innings, issuing only a third-inning walk and a fourth-inning single.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024
Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
And second, most cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula, where the aurora doesn't often appear overhead.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024
The article, published a week after those comments as LSU cruises through the women’s March Madness bracket, delves into Mulkey’s history as both a basketball player and coach.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2024
Embarking on a cruise vacation doesn't have to break the bank.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The Ritz-Carlton is one of several hotel and hospitality companies that have entered the cruise game in recent years.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
Young European noblemen had always taken a grand tour, but in the 19th century, frequent, pleasure-seeking travel became a fixture for the upper classes, newly able to gallivant by steam train or cruise liner.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Madagascar was the real draw for months of consecutive cruises on the Dawn for Herd.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
McGrady answered various commenter queries, such as where dogs relieve themselves on a cruise.
—Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024
Verb
Seasonal closures are one of the biggest challenges of cruising the Mediterranean in winter.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024
Hernández wasn’t the biggest driver behind the victory, not after second-year right-hander Bobby Miller cruised through six shutout innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Although traditionally seen as an extravagant choice, cruising today is known just as much for its family-friendly and bargain deals.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
At other points, its cast can be seen bending over backwards in awe, twirling through the air, cruising by on skateboards, and, in one scene, even speeding across the stage on a moped.
—EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
The upcoming Carnival Legend cruise on March 31 will depart and return to Norfolk.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2024
The Dali cargo ship was cruising away from the Port of Baltimore when its lights suddenly went out just after 1:24 a.m. Tuesday.
—Rich Schapiro, NBC News, 27 Mar. 2024
Specific to cruising, the CDC recommends frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing (more often than on shore) and wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated areas.
—Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024
Shoemaker cruised through the next four innings, issuing only a third-inning walk and a fourth-inning single.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
To badly paraphrase Adorno: After this, no more cruise stories.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
And second, most cruises visit the Antarctic Peninsula, where the aurora doesn't often appear overhead.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024
The article, published a week after those comments as LSU cruises through the women’s March Madness bracket, delves into Mulkey’s history as both a basketball player and coach.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2024
Embarking on a cruise vacation doesn't have to break the bank.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The Ritz-Carlton is one of several hotel and hospitality companies that have entered the cruise game in recent years.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
Young European noblemen had always taken a grand tour, but in the 19th century, frequent, pleasure-seeking travel became a fixture for the upper classes, newly able to gallivant by steam train or cruise liner.
—The Editors, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024
Madagascar was the real draw for months of consecutive cruises on the Dawn for Herd.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
McGrady answered various commenter queries, such as where dogs relieve themselves on a cruise.
—Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 23 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cruise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Dutch kruisen to make a cross, cruise, from Middle Dutch crucen, from crūce cross, from Latin cruc-, crux
First Known Use
Verb
1651, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Noun
1696, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing cruise
Dictionary Entries Near cruise
Cite this Entry
“Cruise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruise. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
cruise
verbˈkrüz
cruised; cruising
1
: to travel by boat often stopping at a series of ports
2
: to travel for enjoyment
3
: to travel at the best operating speed
the cruising speed of an airplane
cruise
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on cruise
Nglish: Translation of cruise for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cruise for Arabic Speakers
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