Ferry
In short
A ferry is a type of boat used to carry people, vehicles, or goods across a body of water. They usually travel on a set route between two specific points.
In plain words
Think of a ferry as a floating bridge or a water bus. Instead of driving over a bridge or through a tunnel, you drive your car or walk onto a large boat to get to the other side of a river, lake, or sea. Most ferries run on a regular timetable so people know exactly when they will arrive.
A simple example
Imagine you want to visit an island that is separated from the mainland by a wide river. Instead of swimming or using a plane, you drive your car onto a large flat boat at a pier, wait for the boat to cross the river, and then drive off onto the island.
Why it matters
Ferries are vital for transport in places where building bridges is too expensive or impossible. They help keep trade moving by carrying lorries and allow people living on islands to get to work or school on the mainland.
Easy to mix up
People sometimes confuse a ferry with a cruise ship. A cruise ship is for long holidays and stays out at sea for many days, whereas a ferry is for practical travel between two fixed places and usually makes short trips.