A vessel for conveying passengers, merchandise, etc., usually across streams, rivers, bays, and other narrow waters.

a boat that transports people or vehicles across a body of water and operates on a regular schedule

Vessel for carrying passengers and/or vehicles over a body of water. The vessel is generally a steam or diesel-powered conventional ferry vessel. It may also be a hovercraft, hydrofoil or other high speed vessel.

Vessels that carry passengers and/or vehicles over a body of water. Generally steam or diesel-powered, ferryboats may also be hovercraft, hydrofoil, and other high-speed vessels. The vessel is limited in its use to the carriage of deck passengers or vehicles or both, operates on a short run on a frequent schedule between two points over the most direct water routes other than in ocean or coastwise service, and is offered as a public service of a type normally attributed to a bridge or tunnel.

A boat providing fixed-route service across a body of water. (APTA)