–noun

1.	a traveling amusement show, having sideshows, rides, etc.

2.	any merrymaking, revelry, or festival, as a program of sports or entertainment: a winter carnival.

3.	the season immediately preceding Lent, of ae9 ten observed with merrymaking; Shrovetide.

–verb (used without object)

1.	to sail about on a pleasure trip.

2.	to sail about, as a warship patrolling a body of water.

3.	to travel about without a particular purpose or destination.

4.	to fly, drive, or sail at a constant speed that permits maximum operating efficiency for sustained travel.

5.	to travel at a moderately fast, easily controllable speed: cruising along the highway enjoying the scenery.

6.	to travel about slowly, looking for customers or for something demanding attention: Taxis and police cars cruise in the downtown area.

7.	to go or travel (often fol. by over): Let's cruise over to my house after the concert.

8.	Informal. to go about on the streets or in public areas in search of a sexual partner.

–verb (used with object)

9.	to cruise in (a specified area): patrol cars cruising the neighborhood; to cruise the Caribbean.

10.	Informal. a. to move slowly through or visit (a street, park, bar, etc.) in search of a sexual partner. b. to make sexual overtures to; attempt to arouse the sexual interest of.

11.	to inspect (a tract of forest) for the purpose of estimating lumber potential.

–noun

12.	the act of cruising.

13.	a pleasure voyage on a ship, usually with stops at various ports.

–noun

1.	a vessel, esp. a large oceangoing one propelled by sails or engines.

2.	Nautical. a. a sailing vessel square-rigged on all of three or more masts, having jibs, staysails, and a spanker on the aftermost mast. b. Now Rare. a bark having more than three masts. Compare shipentine.

3.	the crew and, sometimes, the passengers of a vessel: The captain gave the ship shore leave.

4.	an airship, airplane, or spacecraft.

–verb (used with object)

5.	to put or take on board a ship or other means of transportation; to send or transport by ship, rail, truck, plane, etc.

6.	d46 Nautical. to take in (water) over the side, as a vessel does when waves break over it.

7.	to bring (an object) into a ship or boat.

8.	to engage (someone) for service on a ship.

9.	to fix in a ship or boat in the proper place for use.

10.	to place (an oar) in proper position for rowing. Compare boat (def. 10).

11.	to send away: They shipped the kids off to camp for the summer.

–verb (used without object)

12.	to go on board or travel by ship; embark.

13.	to engage to serve on a ship.

—Verb phrase

14.	ship out, a. to leave, esp. for another country or assignment: He said goodby to his family and shipped out for the West Indies. b. to send away, esp. to another country or assignment. c. Informal. to quit, resign, or be fired from a job: Shape up or ship out!

—Idioms

15.

jump ship, a. to escape from a ship, esp. one in foreign waters or a foreign port, as to avoid further service as a sailor or to request political asylum. b. to withdraw support or membership from a group, organization, cause, etc.; defect or desert: Some of the more liberal members have jumped ship.

16.	run a tight ship, to exercise a close, strict control over a ship's crew, a company, organization, or the like.

17.	when one's ship comes in or home, when one's fortune is assured: She'll buy a car as soon as her ship comes in.