merchant marine

American  

noun

1. the vessels of a nation that are engaged in commerce.

2. the officers and crews of such vessels.

---

Etymology

Origin of merchant marine

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

"Given the size of the ships, electronic assistance has become necessary to steer them," said one merchant marine captain who has sailed on cargo ships around the world.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

One was a former merchant marine whose wooden 32-foot ketch was barely adequate for a journey through the punishing Southern Ocean.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Murals of cartoon characters painted decades ago by an unhoused merchant marine in exchange for shelter were painted over at some point before the property was sold, Harapetian said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2023

A merchant marine, it just so happens there’s a ship full of ammo bound for Saigon short a crew member.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2022

A merchant marine officer named Frank Worsley, a part-Maori New Zealander who had been a sailor since the age of sixteen, was to captain the ship.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong