crew
crew Lexical Profile
crew Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A group of people who work on and operate a ship, aircraft, train, or spacecraft.
"The captain thanked the entire flight crew for their calm professionalism during the turbulent landing."
A team of people possessing specialized technical skills who work together on a specific task, project, or production.
"The road maintenance crew worked overnight to repair the damaged highway before morning traffic began."
An informal group of associates, friends, or companions who spend time together.
"She met up with her usual crew at the neighborhood cafe every Saturday afternoon."
American The sport of competitive rowing, or a team of rowers who race in a racing shell.
"He woke up at dawn every morning during college to practice with the varsity crew on the river."
• verb
To supply or staff a vessel, aircraft, or vehicle with operational personnel.
"The research vessel was crewed by twelve experienced mariners and six marine biologists."
To serve or act as a member of a working team on a ship, yacht, or aircraft.
"During his summer break, he crewed on a sailing yacht across the Mediterranean."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Crew' is also the archaic past tense of the verb 'crow' (as in 'the rooster crew at dawn'), though 'crowed' is standard in modern usage. In British English, as a collective noun, 'crew' can take either a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is viewed as a single unit or as individuals.
• Rhymes for crew
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English 'crue', originally meaning a military reinforcement or augmentation, from Old French 'creue' ('an increase, recruit'), the feminine past participle of 'creistre' ('to grow'), from Latin 'crescere'.