First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1ferry
verb fer·ry \ˈfer-ē, ˈfe-rē\
: to carry or move (someone or something) on a vehicle (such as a boat or a car) usually for a short distance between two places
fer·riedfer·ry·ing
Full Definition of FERRY
transitive verb
1
a : to carry by boat over a body of water b : to cross by a ferry
2
a : to convey (as by aircraft or motor vehicle) from one place to another : transport b : to fly (an airplane) from the factory or other shipping point to a designated delivery point or from one base to another
intransitive verb
: to cross water in a boat
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Origin of FERRY
Middle English ferien, from Old English ferian to carry, convey; akin to Old English faran to go — more at fare
2ferry
noun
: a place where a ferryboat operates
plural fer·ries
Full Definition of FERRY
1
: a place where persons or things are carried across a body of water (as a river) in a boat
2
3
: a franchise or right to operate a ferry service across a body of water
4
: an organized service and route for flying airplanes especially across a sea or continent for delivery to the user
See ferry defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FERRY
15th century
FERRY Defined for Kids
1ferry
verb fer·ry \ˈfer-ē\
fer·riedfer·ry·ing
Definition of FERRY for Kids
1
: to carry by boat over a body of water
2
: to cross a body of water by a ferryboat
3
: to transport for a short distance
2ferry
noun
plural fer·ries
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