cruise control

noun

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of cruise control

1 : an electronic device in a vehicle that controls the throttle so as to maintain a constant speed

2 : a relaxed and seemingly automatic pace that is easily maintained

See cruise control defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of cruise control from the Web

Last week, for example, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV recalled more than 5 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to fix a software glitch that could prevent drivers from canceling cruise control.

— tim higgins, WSJ, "Consumer Reports Thought a Tesla Took Too Long to Stop. The Company Fixed It Via a Software Update.," 30 May 2018
Fiat Chrysler said company officials are aware of a single incident in March involving a 2017 Dodge Journey in which the driver couldn't shut off the vehicle's cruise control.

— peter holley, courant.com, "Fiat Chrysler Announces Recall Of Nearly 5 Million US Cars," 25 May 2018
The company warned owners not to use cruise control until the vehicles can be fixed with a software update.

— Washington Post, "Stocks dip as oil prices and energy companies fall sharply," 25 May 2018
Jupp Heynckes' side have hit cruise control after another season of domestic dominance.

— SI.com, "Bayern Munich vs Besiktas Preview: Classic Encounter, Recent Form, Team News & More," 19 Feb. 2018
The company found that a short circuit may trigger when drivers accelerate the vehicle under cruise control, which may be necessary to maintain speed while driving up a hill.

— lindsey murray, Good Housekeeping, "Fiat Chrysler Recalls 4.8 Million Vehicles That Can Get Stuck in Cruise Control," 25 May 2018
The versatile steering wheel had cruise control, phone, audio controls (volume, mode and tune), and vehicle info access and configuration.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Hyundai’s 2018 Kona small crossover starts at $19,500, offers all-wheel drive | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 19 May 2018
The Warriors have settled into cruise control for most of the season, ceding the No.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "The All-Bullseye Team: Five All-Stars Facing Serious Playoff Pressure," 4 Apr. 2018
With a 24-point halftime lead, the Rockets shifted into cruise control for a second-consecutive night, defending in the third quarter as if playing an NFL pro bowl.

— jonathan feigen, Houston Chronicle, "Rockets fly past Hawks for win No. 60 of season," 25 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cruise control.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of cruise control

1960

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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CRUISE CONTROL Defined for English Language Learners

cruise control

noun

Definition of cruise control for English Language Learners

: a device in a vehicle that a driver turns on to make the vehicle continue at whatever speed the driver has chosen
: a relaxed pace that does not require a lot of effort