A ferry is a boat that carries people, cars, and cargo back and forth across a body of water on a regular schedule, like a floating bus. Ferries follow the same route over and over, transporting passengers between two shores, across rivers, lakes, or even stretches of ocean.

Before bridges were built across many waterways, ferries were the main way to cross. Even today, ferries remain essential in places where building a bridge would be too expensive or difficult. In cities like Seattle and San Francisco, ferries carry thousands of commuters to work each day. In island communities, ferries are lifelines, bringing supplies, mail, and visitors.

Ferry rides can last anywhere from five minutes to several hours, depending on the distance. Some ferries are small enough to carry just a few cars, while others are massive vessels with restaurants and lounges on board. Unlike cruise ships that travel for vacation, ferries are working boats with practical jobs to do.

The word can also be a verb: to ferry something means to transport it back and forth. Parents often ferry their kids between school, practice, and home. A helpful friend might ferry supplies to a group working on a project.