yacht

1 of 2

noun

: any of various recreational watercraft: such as
a
: a sailboat used for racing
b
: a large usually motor-driven craft used for pleasure cruising

yacht

2 of 2

verb

yachted; yachting; yachts

intransitive verb

: to race or cruise in a yacht

Examples of yacht in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Solar panels on the roof of the yacht generate 2000 kW of energy, which is enough to run the yacht in silent mode for up to nine hours. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 24 Nov. 2023 After traveling to hone his craft, García launched his eponymous restaurant in 2011, serving ever-changing tasting menus of 18 to 21 dishes in an all-glass building overlooking the yachts in Muelle Uno dock, right beside the 18th-century sailors’ chapel. Lisa Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Nov. 2023 The gorgeous 1920s-era yacht used in Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 Great Gatsby—the Hurrica V—is docked in the next berth over. WIRED, 18 Nov. 2023 In the meantime, the 33,000-square-foot Villa Avellana (from $22,000 a night, for up to 23 guests) is the area’s splashiest debut, offering 10 en suite bedrooms and a 42-foot yacht on standby. Kathryn Romeyn, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2023 Paparazzi follow the yacht closely — so much so that Diana asks them to back off so her children can enjoy the trip. Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023 In the first episode, Diana enjoys herself on the yacht with her sons, William and Harry, and Mohamed Fayed’s (Salim Daw) family. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 17 Nov. 2023 For a memorable experience, have a bite to eat in historic downtown Annapolis's Ego Alley, a narrow waterway where yachts and boaters cruise by. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2023 The yacht’s layout has an interior volume comparable to a 148-footer, according to the shipyard, with a crew of six. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 10 Nov. 2023
Verb
As Diana and Dodi continued spending time together in August 1997, from yachting in the Mediterranean to entertaining at Dodi’s residences in London, the press attention surrounding the couple intensified. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023 Arnold Schwarzenegger likely won't be yachting with Sylvester Stallone anytime soon. Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 4 Oct. 2023 Its strong colors and precise geometric shapes also translate well to yachting, with Phoenix 2, Sycara IV, and classic yacht Malahne all striking examples. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2023 On Friday, the model and DiCaprio were spotted yachting together in Sardinia, sparking speculation that the pair was an item. Henry Chandonnet, Peoplemag, 28 July 2023 The trailer shows Barbie and Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, driving in a convertible through the desert, flying in a rocket through space, snowmobiling through the mountains, and yachting through (supposedly) the South China Sea. Rachel Shin, Fortune, 7 July 2023 Methanol hasn’t impacted yachting the way batteries have. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2023 By ferrying scientists to and from remote locations, yachting families can take a hands-on approach to ocean conservation. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 11 Jan. 2022 Thirty-five years later, American financier Laurance Rockefeller visited St. John while yachting in the region. Hannah Selinger, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yacht.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

1557, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yacht was in 1557

Dictionary Entries Near yacht

Cite this Entry

“Yacht.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yacht. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

yacht

1 of 2 noun
: a fairly small ship used for pleasure cruising or racing

yacht

2 of 2 verb
: to race or cruise in a yacht
Etymology

Noun

from obsolete Dutch jaght (now jacht), short for jachtschip, literally, "hunting ship"

Word Origin
In the 16th century, the Dutch were being attacked by pirates and smugglers who managed to escape after their raids because their ships were much faster than the heavy warships used by the Dutch. To solve the problem, the Dutch began building smaller, sleeker, faster craft. This new kind of craft was called a jaght (later spelled jacht) in Dutch. The word was derived from the Dutch phrase jachtschip, literally meaning "hunting ship." In 1660, the Dutch East India Company presented one of these boats to England's King Charles II. He used it for a pleasure boat rather than for chasing pirates. Soon, other wealthy Englishmen wanted boats just like the king's. The style was then copied and improved over the years. The name for this craft also went through a number of changes over the years, from the original jaght, taken from the Dutch, to the yacht spelling we have today.
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