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

While she previously did not hold a negative view of police, now she says she turns the other direction and grows anxious anytime she sees a Sheriff’s Department cruiser.

From Los Angeles Times

A ship identifying itself as the USS Lake Erie - a guided missile cruiser - last transmitted its location in the Caribbean Sea on 30 August, east of the Panama Canal on 30 August.

From BBC

Footage broadcast by KCBS-LA showed the Sheriff’s Department black-and-white cruiser pinned against an electric tower.

From Los Angeles Times

As if to underscore the point, the Pentagon ordered 4,000 Marines and sailors to the waters of Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside Navy destroyers, reconnaissance aircraft and a nuclear-powered missile cruiser.

From Los Angeles Times

From riding the beach cruiser through campus at night all buck naked to jumping into the Olympic pool, sneaking into the swim stadium because our dorm was right next to it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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