ferry

[ fer-ee ]

noun

, plural fer·ries.

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)

, fer·ried, fer·ry·ing.

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)

, fer·ried, fer·ry·ing.

1. to go in a ferry.

ferry

/ ˈfɛrɪ /

noun

1. Also calledferryboat 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 Words From

• un·ferried 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

Christened the “Loni Jo,” the ferry chugged back from the Kentucky shore and dropped its gate at the foot of Illinois Route 1.

From Washington Post

A free, privately owned ferry service at the Port of Cave-In-Rock, continuously operated since the early 1800s, carries roughly 500 vehicles across the river every day.

From Washington Post

We have seen vaccine go out on helicopters, plans, cars dog sleds, and ferry.

From Washington Post

The adenovirus ferries instructions for making the coronavirus’s spike protein into human cells.

From Science News

Irish customs authorities on Thursday night announced a temporary easing of customs requirements for goods arriving on ferries from Britain, to get freight moving again.

From Fortune

And earlier that day, the 43-year-old had earned the précis, breaking up a skirmish by the Staten Island Ferry.

From The Daily Beast

There was no trouble on the ferry as it reached Manhattan and a few of the passengers boarded the subway to the protest uptown.

From The Daily Beast

As a precaution against a possible disturbance, the ferry was escorted by a police boat, its blue lights flashing.

From The Daily Beast

Marine One will ferry him to JFK Airport, where Air Force One awaits.

From The Daily Beast

For a more scenic journey, travel by ferry from Whittier or Valdez.

From The Daily Beast

Crossing the river on a ferry, Lawrence and his escort mounted their horses and started for Platte City, but a few miles away.

From Project Gutenberg

Lee's army is sweeping victoriously through Maryland; Harper's Ferry taken with ten thousand prisoners.

From Project Gutenberg

It finally plunged sharply down to a steamboat ferry, over which we crossed the Dart and landed directly in the town.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaving the city, we crossed Southampton Water on a steam ferry which was guided by a chain stretched from bank to bank.

From Project Gutenberg

The original bridge across the Medway to Strood probably dates from the Roman period, taking the place of a ferry.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barge
• ferryboat