Does "cruiser" have a meaning of "a plane"?

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z7655431

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My vocabulary book (Live ABC) says the word "cruiser" could mean "a plane". It it correct? I checked many different dictionaries, but I didn't find "cruiser" has such a meaning. Thanks!
 

bhaisahab

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I've never heard of a plane being called a cruiser.
 

Skrej

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I've never heard of 'cruiser' being used to refer to a plane, either. I think the reason Matthew's link provided all those results, is that in each of them (or at least the few I randomly selected), 'cruiser' was part of the plane's model name.

I think you'll probably find some results for cars as well, but again that's just part of the name. I remember about 10 years ago, (give or take), when the Chrysler PT Cruiser hit the market and was all the rage. (I find them unattractive, but that's just me.)

People probably use the term 'cruiser' in a model name to imply that the vehicle in question provides a smooth or enjoyable ride, as opposed to just being utilitarian.

Otherwise, unless it's actually part of a model name, I've never heard the word 'cruiser' used as a synonym for anything other than a ship.
 

Charlie Bernstein

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Lots of vehicles and craft are called cruisers. I think of boats first, but I don't see any reason why some cars, bicycles, and airplanes shouldn't be called cruisers. The word implies speed, compactness, and maneuverability, regardless of the kind of machine achieving them.
 

Tarheel

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It seems that "Cruiser" is always used as part of the name of the plane and never as a synonym for "plane".

(Thanks, Matthew! Those are some "cool" pics.)
 

Tdol

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Planes cruise at an altitude of , say, 30,000 feet.
 

Charlie Bernstein

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It seems that "Cruiser" is always used as part of the name of the plane and never as a synonym for "plane".

True. If someone said, "I just saw the coolest cruiser," my first thought would be: spiffy little boat. I'm not ruling out calling an airplane, car, motorcycle, or bicycle a cruiser, but I agree that it's not common.
 
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