cruise

¹

[krooz]

verb (used without object)

cruised, cruising 

1. to sail about on a pleasure trip.

2. to sail about, as a warship patrolling a body of water.

3. to travel about without a particular purpose or destination.

4. to fly, drive, or sail at a constant speed that permits maximum operating efficiency for sustained travel.

5. to travel at a moderately fast, easily controllable speed.

   cruising along the highway enjoying the scenery.

6. to travel about slowly, looking for customers or for something demanding attention.

   Taxis and police cars cruise in the downtown area.

7. to go or travel (often followed byover ).

   Let's cruise over to my house after the concert.

8. Informal.,  to go about on the streets or in public areas in search of a sexual partner.

verb (used with object)

cruised, cruising 

1. to cruise in (a specified area).

   patrol cars cruising the neighborhood; to cruise the Caribbean.

2. Informal.

   1. to move slowly through or visit (a street, park, bar, etc.) in search of a sexual partner.

   2. to make sexual overtures to; attempt to arouse the sexual interest of.

3. to inspect (a tract of forest) for the purpose of estimating lumber potential.

noun

1. the act of cruising.

2. a pleasure voyage on a ship, usually with stops at various ports.

Cruise

²

[krooz]

noun

1. Tom Thomas Cruise Mapother, 4th, born 1962, U.S. film actor.

cruise

¹

/ kruːz /

verb

1. (intr) to make a trip by sea in a liner for pleasure, usually calling at a number of ports

2. to sail or travel over (a body of water) for pleasure in a yacht, cruiser, etc

3. (intr) to search for enemy vessels in a warship

4. (intr) (of a vehicle, aircraft, or vessel) to travel at a moderate and efficient speed

5. informal,  (intr) to search the streets or other public places for a sexual partner

noun

1. an act or instance of cruising, esp a trip by sea

Cruise

²

/ kruːz /

noun

1. Tom. original name Thomas Cruise Mapother. born 1962, US film actor; his films include Risky Business (1983), Top Gun (1986), Jerry Maguire (1989), Eyes Wide Shut (1999), War of the Worlds (2005), and Valkyrie (2008)

Other Word Forms

• cruisingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruise¹

1645–55; < Dutch kruisen to cross, cruise, derivative of kruis cross

Word History and Origins

Origin of cruise¹

C17: from Dutch kruisen to cross, from cruis _cross ; related to French croiser to cross, cruise, Spanish cruzar, German kreuzen

Example Sentences

This is a much higher domestic political risk than cruise missile strikes or B-2 bomber raids.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He makes more than $100,000 a year—a significant increase from his previous pay—cruising around on a buggy under floodlights, overseeing deliveries and equipment and ensuring everything stays on schedule.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was the tried and tested players who delivered on the scoresheet and England were in control of possession, dominating 70% of the ball as they cruised to victory.

Read more on BBC

New cruise ships take a test run to make sure everything runs as planned—from fire alarms to açaí bowls.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In October, President Zelensky flew to Washington, hoping to secure long-range, U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• coast 
• drift 
• go 
• meander 
• navigate 
• travel