yacht

/jɑt/

/jɒt/

Other forms: yachts; yachting; yachted

A yacht is an upscale boat — often a sailboat — that is used for cruising or racing. If you're on a cargo ship, you're probably at work; if you're on a yacht, it's probably your day off.

While today a yacht is usually a pleasure vessel, and associated with wealth and recreation, its origins are anything but: the word yacht comes from the early modern Dutch jaghtschip, which referred to “a fast pirate ship,” and jacht meant “hunting.” You won’t find many yachts doing any hunting today — but you might find one cruising around the bay or parked at the yacht club. Yacht can also be a verb meaning to travel in a yacht.

Definitions of yacht

1. noun

   an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
   synonyms: racing yacht

   type of:

   vessel, watercraft

   a craft designed for water transportation
2. verb

   travel in a yacht
   type of:

   boat

   ride in a boat on water