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 called: cabin 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

The Navy has 287 ships in its current inventory, mostly destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers, amphibious ships and submarines.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On that day, shrapnel landed on a California Highway Patrol cruiser and motorcycle after an artillery shell exploded in midair prematurely, prompting an investigation from the Marines.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But the display went awry — and was forced to end early — when an artillery round exploded midair, sending shrapnel raining down onto a California Highway Patrol cruiser that was parked on an Interstate 5 on-ramp.

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That means cruisers will have to pay an additional fee for their cocktails, wine and beer once they step off the ship.

Read more on MarketWatch

In December 2023, a female officer was put under internal investigation after slamming into and killing a 25-year-old man with her police cruiser.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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