cruiser

noun

cruis·​er ˈkrü-zər How to pronounce cruiser (audio)
Synonyms of cruisernext
1
: a vehicle that cruises: such as
a
: squad car
b
: a powerboat with facilities (such as a cabin and plumbing) necessary for living aboard

called also cabin cruiser

c
: beach cruiser
… bikes don't come much more basic than cruisers.—Ron Koch
2
: a large fast moderately armored and gunned warship
3
: a person who cruises

Examples of cruiser in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The 22-year-old emerged from the woods Wednesday evening after a six-day disappearance and knocked on the driver’s side window of a search-and-rescue cruiser. — Angie Orellana Hernandez, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Consider splurging for one of the Signature Rooms, which feature large balconies overlooking the harbor, one of the busiest waterways in Bermuda; watching sailboats and day-cruisers jet across the cobalt waters never gets old. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Thorpe allegedly drove the cruiser into neighboring Clayton County before crashing into a tanker truck on Interstate 675. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 After the third shot fired by Brown, Montesdeoca returned fire, discharging his firearm through the front windshield of his cruiser. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cruiser

Word History

First Known Use

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cruiser was in 1695

Phrases Containing cruiser

Rhymes for cruiser

See All Rhymes for cruiser

Browse Nearby Words

cruise missile
cruiser
cruiser stern
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cruiser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cruiser. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cruiser

noun
cruis·​er ˈkrü-zər How to pronounce cruiser (audio)
1
: squad car
2
: a large fast warship smaller than a battleship
3
: a motorboat equipped for living aboard

More from Merriam-Webster on cruiser

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cruiser

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cruiser

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