cruised; cruising
1
: to sail about touching at a series of ports
2
: to move or proceed speedily, smoothly, or effortlessly
I'll cruise over to her house to see if she's home
3
: to travel without destination or purpose
4
a
: to go about the streets at random but on the lookout for possible developments
the cabdriver cruised for an hour before being hailed
b
: to search (as in public places) for a sexual partner
5
a
of an airplane
: to fly at the most efficient operating speed
b
of an automobile
: to travel at a speed suitable for being maintained for a long distance
1
: to cruise over or about
2
: to inspect (land) with reference to possible lumber yield
3
a
: to search in (a public place) for a sexual partner
b
: to approach and suggest sexual relations to
4
: to explore or search the offerings of
Examples of cruise in a Sentence
Verb
We cruised for a week down the Yangtze River.
He dreams of cruising the Mediterranean.
The bus was cruising at 55 miles per hour.
We were cruising along the highway.
The plane was cruising at 30,000 feet.
On Friday nights, teenagers cruise the main street in town to show off their cars.
A car cruised past us.
Noun
We went on a weeklong cruise down the Yangtze River.
They went on a cruise for their honeymoon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Yet, the number of travel faux pas tourists make while strolling the streets of Milan, meandering through ancient ruins in Athens, or cruising around the Mediterranean remains pretty high, considering the increase in visits to Europe's major cities.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Palomar, Ocean Blue, Onda, Cagney’s, Le Bistro and Haven restaurants will no longer allow shorts or flip-flops, according to the cruise line's website.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cruise
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
In terms of broader wellness offerings, the property has complimentary bikes for cruising around the neighborhood, group meditation and sound bath sessions, morning yoga, and Sunday hikes to Tahquitz Canyon.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
Yet, the number of travel faux pas tourists make while strolling the streets of Milan, meandering through ancient ruins in Athens, or cruising around the Mediterranean remains pretty high, considering the increase in visits to Europe's major cities.
—Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Book a sunset cruise with Follow That Dream charters to enjoy an evening out on a comfortable catamaran, complete with snacks and drinks.
—Kelsey Glennon, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
Palomar, Ocean Blue, Onda, Cagney’s, Le Bistro and Haven restaurants will no longer allow shorts or flip-flops, according to the cruise line's website.
—Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cruise
Cite this Entry
“Cruise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruise. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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