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

Zapata is accused of driving a stolen Hyundai sports utility vehicle and colliding with a police cruiser that was being driven by 28-year-old Alec Sanders, an officer with the Alhambra Police Department.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Zizi said the collision involved the officer’s patrol cruiser and a sports utility vehicle carrying three people, one of whom died at the scene.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

So the journey is a rite of passage for many cruisers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Japanese destroyed or damaged three navy cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer, leading our nation into World War II. One hundred eighty-eight US aircraft were destroyed.

Read more on Literature

A Memphis Police Department cruiser pulled up, and two officers questioned him: Where was he coming from?

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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