First Known Use: 1651
Dictionary
1cruise
verb \ˈkrüz\
: to travel on a boat or ship to a number of places as a vacation
of a car, airplane, etc. : to move along at a steady speed
: to drive or be driven slowly
cruisedcruis·ing
Full Definition of CRUISE
intransitive verb
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
transitive verb
1
: to cruise over or about
2
: to inspect (as 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; especially : surf <cruise the Internet>
See cruise defined for English-language learners
See cruise defined for kids
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Origin of CRUISE
Dutch kruisen to make a cross, cruise, from Middle Dutch crucen, from crūce cross, from Latin cruc-, crux
Related to CRUISE
2cruise
noun
: a journey on a boat or ship to a number of places as a vacation
Full Definition of CRUISE
: an act or an instance of cruising; especially : a tour by ship
See cruise defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRUISE
1696
CRUISE[1] Defined for Kids
1cruise
verb \ˈkrüz\
cruisedcruis·ing
Definition of CRUISE for Kids
1
: to travel by ship often stopping at a series of ports <They cruised along the coast.>
2
: to travel at a steady pace
2cruise
noun
Definition of CRUISE for Kids
: a trip on a ship
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