: any of various recreational watercraft: such as
a
: a sailboat used for racing
b
: a large usually motor-driven craft used for pleasure cruising
Examples of yacht in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
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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
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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
Phrases Containing yacht
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.
Copy Citation
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.
More from Merriam-Webster on yacht
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for yacht
Nglish: Translation of yacht for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of yacht for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yacht
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