ferry

¹fer·ry

verb \ˈfer-ē, ˈfe-rē\

: to carry or move (someone or something) on a vehicle (such as a boat or a car) usually for a short distance between two places

fer·riedfer·ry·ing

Full Definition of FERRY

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

Examples of FERRY

1. The cars were ferried across the river.
2. They ferry supplies to the island.

Origin of FERRY

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FERRY

Synonyms

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

Related Words

deliver, hand over, transfer; forward, send, ship, transmit; bring, fetch, take; move, remove, shift

Other Transportation Terms

camber, corduroy, demurrage, milestone

Rhymes with FERRY

aerie, airy, berry, bury, Carey, cherry, chary, dairy, Derry, faerie, fairy, Gerry, glairy, glary, hairy, Jerry, kerry, Mary, marry, merry, nary, perry, prairie, query, scary, serry, Shari, sherry, skerry, terry, Terry, vary, very, wary, wherry

²ferry

noun

: a place where a ferryboat operates

plural fer·ries

Full Definition of FERRY

1

:  a place where persons or things are carried across a body of water (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

Examples of FERRY

1. Ferries to both islands depart daily.
2. You can get there by ferry.
3. We'll meet you at the ferry.

First Known Use of FERRY

15th century

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay