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 of ferry

Verb

• haul
• transport
• carry

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

Sean Vard, the long-time groom for Swiss rider Martin Fuchs, spends much of his life on the road, ferrying top show jumpers around Europe and beyond from his base near Zurich, Switzerland. — Danielle Rossingh, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Mexican drug cartels are increasingly turning to tunnels built for drug smuggling to ferry migrants into the United States. — Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

The best way to travel from island to island in Greece is with the small-ship cruise line Windstar, which provides exclusive experiences, ferries guests to uncrowded ports, and offers yacht-like amenities aboard its vessels. — Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026

Philippine Coast Guard via AP Images of nighttime rescue efforts showed Coast Guard personnel tossing life jackets to survivors as the ferry burned in the background. — CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for ferry

• aerie
• airy
• arie
• barre
• cherry
• clary
• dairy
• eyrie
• faerie
• faery
• fairy
• hairy

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