ferry

1 of 2

verb

fer·​ry ˈfer-ē 

ˈfe-rē

ferried; ferrying

transitive verb

1

a

: to carry by boat over a body of water

b

: to cross by a ferry

2

a

: to convey (as by aircraft or motor vehicle) from one place to another : transport

b

: to fly (an airplane) from the factory or other shipping point to a designated delivery point or from one base to another

intransitive verb

: to cross water in a boat

ferry

2 of 2

noun

plural ferries

1

: a place where persons or things are carried across a body of water (such as a river) in a boat

2

: ferryboat

3

: a franchise or right to operate a ferry service across a body of water

4

: an organized service and route for flying airplanes especially across a sea or continent for delivery to the user

Synonyms

Verb

• bear
• carry
• cart
• convey
• haul
• lug
• pack
• tote
• transport

Examples of ferry in a Sentence

Verb

The cars were ferried across the river.

They ferry supplies to the island.

Noun

Ferries to both islands depart daily.

You can get there by ferry.

We'll meet you at the ferry.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The cable car gondola ferried passengers across the park and over the International Street fountain, providing spectacular photo opportunities. —Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 16 Aug. 2024

Fewer young people are training to ferry gondolas through Venice, particularly as Italy experiences a record number of tourists—over 130 million last year. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 16 Aug. 2024

Noun

But the road ahead is far from clear for the Boeing ferry ship. —William Harwood, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2024

Yet as Marianne is left pondering the possibilities of one-time trysts — and weighing them up against her conflicted feelings for Ole — Tor is led into unexpected emotional territory by a ferry encounter with handsome older psychologist Bjorn (Lars Jacob Holm, superb). —Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English ferien, from Old English ferian to carry, convey; akin to Old English faran to go — more at fare

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

ferry

1 of 2 verb

fer·​ry ˈfer-ē 

ferried; ferrying

1

a

: to carry by boat over a body of water

b

: to cross by a ferry

2

a

: to carry (as by aircraft or motor vehicle) from one place to another

b

: to deliver (an airplane) by flying it to its destination

ferry

2 of 2 noun

plural ferries

1

: a place where persons or things are ferried

2

: ferryboat