–noun

1.	a republic in S Central America. 2,693,417; 28,575 sq. mi. (74,010 sq. km).

2.	Also called Panama City. a city in and the capital of Panama, at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal. 438,000.

3.	Isthmus of. Formerly, Isthmus of Darien. an isthmus between North and South America.

4.	Gulf of, the portion of the Pacific in the bend of the Isthmus of Panama.

5.	(sometimes lowercase) Panama hat.

–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.

c

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.