D defs.my
Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913

merchant marine

/mẽrch'-ənt mẽr-ēn'/ · mer·chant ma·rine · IPA
01 n. The ships owned by nationals of a particular country that are engaged in civilian commerce; also, the personnel operating those vessels. D…
  1. 1.
    The ships owned by nationals of a particular country that are engaged in civilian commerce; also, the personnel operating those vessels. Distinguished from the navy, which contains the vessels of war.