: any of various recreational watercraft: such as
a
: a sailboat used for racing
b
: a large usually motor-driven craft used for pleasure cruising
Examples of yacht in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
The yacht has also displayed works from Lewis’ private art collection, which is valued at more than $1 billion and includes pieces by Picasso, Freud, Klimt and Degas.
Events that authorities say took place on the yacht were a key piece of evidence that prosecutors used against him.
—Ben Stupples, Fortune Europe, 19 Apr. 2024
As for power, the yacht is fitted with twin MTU engines rated at 2,638 hp, which give it a top speed of 21.5 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
Christy lives on a yacht in the Florida Keys with her boyfriend, Enrique.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
To immerse guests in this impressive migration, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal introduced a listening excursion by yacht, complete with an open bar and canapés.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2024
The adventurous Kessler and naval architect Steve Seaton helped design the first recreational motor yacht for the company Delta Marine, a 70-foot vessel that Kessler christened Zopilote and launched in 1985.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Apr. 2024
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham's Relationship Timeline The couple recently celebrated the Easter holiday on a yacht with their kids, Harper, 12, Cruz, 19, and Brooklyn, 25, and daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz Beckham, 29.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
On the rerun, Ripa and Consuelos complimented Blige on a photo of her looking fabulous in her bathing suit while posing on a yacht, Page Six reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Armond White, National Review, 12 Jan. 2024
As Diana and Dodi continued spending time together in August 1997, from yachting in the Mediterranean to entertaining at Dodi’s residences in London, the press attention surrounding the couple intensified.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
Arnold Schwarzenegger likely won't be yachting with Sylvester Stallone anytime soon.
—Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 4 Oct. 2023
Its strong colors and precise geometric shapes also translate well to yachting, with Phoenix 2, Sycara IV, and classic yacht Malahne all striking examples.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2023
On Friday, the model and DiCaprio were spotted yachting together in Sardinia, sparking speculation that the pair was an item.
—Henry Chandonnet, Peoplemag, 28 July 2023
The trailer shows Barbie and Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, driving in a convertible through the desert, flying in a rocket through space, snowmobiling through the mountains, and yachting through (supposedly) the South China Sea.
—Rachel Shin, Fortune, 7 July 2023
Methanol hasn’t impacted yachting the way batteries have.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2023
By ferrying scientists to and from remote locations, yachting families can take a hands-on approach to ocean conservation.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 11 Jan. 2022
Noun
An investigation was underway Sunday in New York after two people were stabbed and one was bashed with a bottle in a melee at a party yacht docked at a Brooklyn pier, authorities said.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
The yacht has also displayed works from Lewis’ private art collection, which is valued at more than $1 billion and includes pieces by Picasso, Freud, Klimt and Degas.
Events that authorities say took place on the yacht were a key piece of evidence that prosecutors used against him.
—Ben Stupples, Fortune Europe, 19 Apr. 2024
As for power, the yacht is fitted with twin MTU engines rated at 2,638 hp, which give it a top speed of 21.5 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2024
Christy lives on a yacht in the Florida Keys with her boyfriend, Enrique.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
To immerse guests in this impressive migration, the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal introduced a listening excursion by yacht, complete with an open bar and canapés.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2024
The adventurous Kessler and naval architect Steve Seaton helped design the first recreational motor yacht for the company Delta Marine, a 70-foot vessel that Kessler christened Zopilote and launched in 1985.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Apr. 2024
David Beckham and Victoria Beckham's Relationship Timeline The couple recently celebrated the Easter holiday on a yacht with their kids, Harper, 12, Cruz, 19, and Brooklyn, 25, and daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz Beckham, 29.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
On the rerun, Ripa and Consuelos complimented Blige on a photo of her looking fabulous in her bathing suit while posing on a yacht, Page Six reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
Who can believe that between kite-surfing with Richard Branson and yachting on the Mediterranean with Spielberg, Springsteen, and Tom Hanks, Obama actually had time to keep up with the film, music, and book industries?
—Armond White, National Review, 12 Jan. 2024
As Diana and Dodi continued spending time together in August 1997, from yachting in the Mediterranean to entertaining at Dodi’s residences in London, the press attention surrounding the couple intensified.
—Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
Arnold Schwarzenegger likely won't be yachting with Sylvester Stallone anytime soon.
—Andrea Mandell, Peoplemag, 4 Oct. 2023
Its strong colors and precise geometric shapes also translate well to yachting, with Phoenix 2, Sycara IV, and classic yacht Malahne all striking examples.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2023
On Friday, the model and DiCaprio were spotted yachting together in Sardinia, sparking speculation that the pair was an item.
—Henry Chandonnet, Peoplemag, 28 July 2023
The trailer shows Barbie and Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, driving in a convertible through the desert, flying in a rocket through space, snowmobiling through the mountains, and yachting through (supposedly) the South China Sea.
—Rachel Shin, Fortune, 7 July 2023
Methanol hasn’t impacted yachting the way batteries have.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2023
By ferrying scientists to and from remote locations, yachting families can take a hands-on approach to ocean conservation.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 11 Jan. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yacht.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near yacht
Cite this Entry
“Yacht.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yacht. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
yacht
1 of 2 noun
: a fairly small ship used for pleasure cruising or racing
yacht
2 of 2 verb
: to race or cruise in a yacht
Etymology
Noun
from obsolete Dutch jaght (now jacht), short for jachtschip, literally, "hunting ship"
Word Origin
In the 16th century, the Dutch were being attacked by pirates and smugglers who managed to escape after their raids because their ships were much faster than the heavy warships used by the Dutch. To solve the problem, the Dutch began building smaller, sleeker, faster craft. This new kind of craft was called a jaght (later spelled jacht) in Dutch. The word was derived from the Dutch phrase jachtschip, literally meaning "hunting ship." In 1660, the Dutch East India Company presented one of these boats to England's King Charles II. He used it for a pleasure boat rather than for chasing pirates. Soon, other wealthy Englishmen wanted boats just like the king's. The style was then copied and improved over the years. The name for this craft also went through a number of changes over the years, from the original jaght, taken from the Dutch, to the yacht spelling we have today.
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