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

That afternoon, a private, twin-engine plane landed in a rural airport outside El Paso, ferrying Zambada and his godson, Joaquín Guzmán López, a leader of los chapitos. —Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024

These two friends from St. Petersburg were among the many boaters who used their own vessels to ferry supplies to and evacuate people from the barrier islands. —Kathryn Varn, Axios, 4 Oct. 2024

Noun

Typically, the campground remains open until the second Monday in October, when the ferry stops its service out to the island. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 10 Oct. 2024

That's why scientists are now looking into powering small ferries using nothing but compressed air. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 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