yacht

noun \ ˈyät \

|Updated on: 6 Jul 2018

Definition of yacht

: any of various recreational watercraft: such as

a : a sailboat used for racing

b : a large usually motor-driven craft used for pleasure cruising

See yacht defined for English-language learners

See yacht defined for kids

Recent Examples of yacht from the Web

The Inn offers guests an array of elegant yachts, from sightseeing on a chartered excursion to oyster foraging for an apéritif delight or dining along the water.

— lauren sheffield, Harper's BAZAAR, "This East Coast Getaway Is the Perfect Alternative to The Hamptons," 26 June 2018
Hundreds of enthusiasts join Breton dances on the quayside, but as usual most of the 1,000-or so yachts, catamarans, day-sailers and motor-cruisers remain tied to the pontoons.

— The Economist, "Yacht-sharing startups vie to rule the waves," 21 June 2018
The Fyre Festival was heavily advertised by social media influencers, including Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, as a weekend of paradise among celebrities, private yachts, five-star chefs and star musicians.

— eric levenson, CNN, "Fyre Festival organizer led scam ticket scheme while out on bail, prosecutors say," 13 June 2018
There are so many sunset cruises in the area on either an old America's Cup 12 Metre [yacht] or a traditional schooner.

— paul brady, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to See Newport, Rhode Island, According to Two Volvo Ocean Race Sailors," 8 May 2018
Across the lake, two new charter yachts — called Neptune and Poseidon — are available for rent at Scorpion Bay.

— azcentral, "AZ Memo: #RedForEd rally continues today at Capitol; Salt River to open for tubing; Lake Pleasant touts tallest floating slide," 27 Apr. 2018
The 11 yachts, which originally departed Liverpool, England, about nine months ago, will leave Seattle on Sunday, racing to Panama.

— christine willmsen, The Seattle Times, "‘It’s not a luxury cruise’: Crews, yachts in around-the-world race settle into Seattle until next leg," 26 Apr. 2018
That had to be another sign, especially since on the water was a boat, and not just any boat, but what appeared to be a J-class yacht, a type associated with the America’s Cup.

— Longreads, "The Olympian Who Believes He’s Always On TV," 7 Mar. 2018
Today, yachts dock in the harbor, but you can still get lost in the narrow lanes, where donkeys transport goods.

— laura itzkowitz, GQ, "Skip Santorini and Head to These Lesser-Known Greek Islands Instead," 14 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of yacht

obsolete Dutch jaght, from Middle Low German jacht, short for jachtschip, literally, hunting ship

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1557

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Nautical Terms

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

yacht

verb

Definition of yacht

yachted; yachting; yachts

intransitive verb

: to race or cruise in a yacht

Recent Examples of yacht from the Web

After taking a week off from Instagram, Selena Gomez posted a video of her friends yachting, eating avocados, and smiling in Australia.

— emily sundberg, The Cut, "Selena Gomez’s Yacht Video Aims to Debunk the ‘Beauty Myth’," 20 Mar. 2018
Since leaving the White House in January, Barack and Michelle Obama have been yachting, eating gelato and enjoying the best of what the world has to offer.

— ashley hoffman, Time, "Michelle Obama Wished Barack Obama a Happy Birthday With the Sweetest Throwback Photo," 4 Aug. 2017

First Known Use of yacht

1836

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Nautical Terms

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

YACHT Defined for English Language Learners

yacht

noun

Definition of yacht for English Language Learners

: a large boat that is used for racing or pleasure

YACHT Defined for Kids

yacht

noun \ ˈyät \

Definition of yacht for Students

: a small ship used for pleasure cruising or racing

History for yacht

In the 1500s the Dutch developed a kind of fast-moving sailing ship for use in coastal waters and river mouths. These vessels were called by the name jaght, short for jachtschip or jageschip in Dutch and German dialects—literally, “hunting ship” or “pursuit ship.” The word was soon borrowed into English as yoath or yaught. The spelling jacht or yacht became widespread after 1660, when the English king Charles II was given such a boat, dubbed the Mary, by the Dutch East India Company. The king chose to use the boat for excursions and racing, and the word yacht became attached to other vessels used for the same purposes.