ENGLISH
REFERENCE

liner

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɫaɪnɝ// UK //lˈaɪnɐ// lin·er Slang

n. a large ship that carries many people across the ocean on a regular schedule. You usually see these used for luxury cruises or long international trips.

n. a large commercial ship, especially one carrying passengers on a regular route or line. Often used to refer to ocean-going vessels designed for long-distance travel.


SIMPLE

The luxury liner docked at the harbor this morning.

CONTEXTUAL

Before the age of commercial flight, the only way to cross the Atlantic was by passenger liner.

COMPLEX

The golden age of the ocean liner saw massive vessels competing for the Blue Riband, a trophy awarded for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From line (verb) + -er.

Etymology 2

From line (noun) + -er (relational suffix) or -er (measurement suffix) (sense 5).

Usage

Commonly modified by 'ocean' or 'passenger' to specify the vessel's purpose.

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