ferry; cross by ferry
Meanings
3 senses · 6 examplesverb
to ferry; to transport by boat across a river
Focuses on the action of transporting goods or people across a water body using a boat. The object is the cargo or passengers.
The workers are ferrying relief supplies to the opposite bank.
They ferried the machinery across the river first, then arranged for the personnel.
verb
to cross a river by ferry; to take a ferry
Focuses on the action of a person or animal crossing a river via a boat. The subject is the one crossing.
He can't swim, so he has to take the ferry across.
In the past, villagers had to take a ferry at the dock to get to town.
noun
ferry; ferryboat
Refers to the boat or vessel itself used for ferrying people or goods across a river, lake, or channel.
The old ferry by the river has been in service for thirty years.
After this bridge was built, the ferry business became much quieter.