Noun: merchant marine 'mur-chunt mu'reen
- Conveyance provided by the ships belonging to one country or industry
"The merchant marine played a crucial role in international trade";
- shipping, cargo ships, merchant vessels, merchant navy [Brit]
- The crew of a merchant vessel
"The merchant marine transported vital supplies across the ocean"
Derived forms: merchant marines
Type of: conveyance, crew, transport
Encyclopedia: Merchant marine