ferry

[fer-ee]

noun

plural

ferries 

1. a commercial service with terminals and boats for transporting persons, automobiles, etc., across a river or other comparatively small body of water.

2. a ferryboat.

3. a service for flying airplanes over a particular route, especially the delivery of airplanes to an overseas purchaser or base of operations.

4. the legal right to ferry passengers, cargo, etc., and to charge for the service.

verb (used with object)

ferried, ferrying 

1. to carry or convey back and forth over a fixed route in a boat or plane.

2. to fly (an airplane) over a particular route, especially for delivery.

verb (used without object)

ferried, ferrying 

1. to go in a ferry.

ferry

/ ˈfɛrɪ /

noun

1. Also called: ferryboat. a vessel for transporting passengers and usually vehicles across a body of water, esp as a regular service

2. 1. such a service

   2. ( in combination )

      a ferryman

3. a legal right to charge for transporting passengers by boat

4. the act or method of delivering aircraft by flying them to their destination

verb

1. to transport or go by ferry

2. to deliver (an aircraft) by flying it to its destination

3. (tr) to convey (passengers, goods, etc)

   the guests were ferried to the church in taxis

Other Word Forms

• unferried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferry¹

before 1150; Middle English ferien, Old English ferian to carry; cognate with Old Norse ferja, Gothic farjan; akin to fare

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferry¹

Old English ferian to carry, bring; related to Old Norse ferja to transport, Gothic farjan ; see _fare

Example Sentences

The SpaceX craft will then ferry the astronauts to the moon and back to the lunar orbiting capsule.

From Los Angeles Times

Cloud providers are the critical infrastructure for streaming platforms, ferrying digital content from streamers to viewers.

From Salon

Forest areas and nature trails across southern and eastern Taiwan have been closed since early Monday, while some ferry services have also been suspended.

From BBC

The band, which had arrived on the ferry from the Isle of Wight, played Sweet Caroline, a favourite among England football fans, as they came to a halt in front of the Bournemouth conference centre.

From BBC

The Ferguson shipyard in Port Glasgow has a proud pedigree dating back 122 years, yet it's now best known for the controversy over two new ferries that are horrendously delayed and over budget.

From BBC

Related Words

• carry 
• chauffeur 
• lug 
• send 
• ship 
• shuttle 
• tote 
• transport