maiden voyage dictionary definition

maiden voyage

• 1.1 Etymology
• 1.2.1 Translations

English [ edit ]

Etymology [ edit ].

See maiden ( adjective ) .

Noun [ edit ]

maiden voyage ( plural maiden voyages )

• 1998 , Cynthia Bass, Maiden Voyage ‎ [1] , Random House Publishing Group, →ISBN : For one thing, it was a maiden voyage , which always meant both passengers and staff were a little giddier, a little looser, than usual.

Translations [ edit ]

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• en:Nautical
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maiden voyage noun

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What does the noun maiden voyage mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun maiden voyage . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

How common is the noun maiden voyage ?

Where does the noun maiden voyage come from.

Earliest known use

The earliest known use of the noun maiden voyage is in the 1820s.

OED's earliest evidence for maiden voyage is from 1823, in European Magazine .

maiden voyage is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: maiden n. & adj. , voyage n.

Nearby entries

• maiden-servant, n. 1533–1740
• maidenship, n. 1602–
• maiden's honesty, n. 1691–
• maiden-skate, n. a1795–
• maidens' light, n. 1547–8
• maidens' milk, n. ?c1450
• maiden speech, n. 1702–
• maiden's water, n. 1975–
• maiden's wreath, n. 1893–
• maiden-thought, n. 1818–
• maiden voyage, n. 1823–
• maiden-wax, n. 1726
• maidenweed, n. a1325–1718
• maiden-widowed, adj. 1599
• maideux, int. c1450–1500
• maid face, n. c1450
• maid-faced, adj. 1610
• maid-fish, n. 1665–1810
• maidhead, n. a1393–1621
• maidhood, n. a1200–
• maidish, adj. 1822–

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Meaning & use

Entry history for maiden voyage, n..

Originally published as part of the entry for maiden, n. & adj.

maiden, n. & adj. was revised in June 2000.

oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:

• further revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
• new senses, phrases, and quotations.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1904)

• Find out more

OED Second Edition (1989)

• View maiden, n. and a. in OED Second Edition

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Citation details

Factsheet for maiden voyage, n., browse entry.

• What is a Maiden Voyage?

The term maiden voyage refers to the first expedition made by a vessel after its performance has been tested. The term has also been used to mean a person’s first time doing something. Before a ship’s maiden voyage, a bottle of alcohol (usually champagne) is broken over the ship’s bow for good luck. The history associated with maiden voyages dates back to ancient times with ancient civilizations having special ceremonies to invoke their gods to protect them on long ocean voyages. The ancients brought shrines into their ships, and the tradition proceeded long into the Middle Ages. Most ships have successful maiden voyages; however, some have been tragic, with the most famous being the RMS Titanic.

Notable Maiden Voyages

The rms titanic.

The RMS Titanic was one of the world’s most famous ships not only because it was the largest ship at the time of its completion but also because it met a tragic end during its maiden voyage. The owners of the Titanic chose to forego the traditional elaborate ship launching ceremony. The ship’s maiden voyage began on April 10, 1912, under the command of Captain Edward Smith with about 2,224 people on board. Two days after the ship’s launch at around 11:40 pm the ship struck an iceberg on the starboard side which allowed water to get into the ship. The ship took around 2 hours and 40 minutes to completely sink with the death toll estimated at more than 1,500 people. Most of the deaths were due to the ship’s crew not being adequately prepared for such an event and the ship not having enough lifeboats.

Launched on June 10, 1875, the Mohawk was owned by William T. Garner and was the largest racing yacht of the time at 140 feet. The yacht’s doomed maiden voyage began on July 20, 1876, off Staten Island with the entire Garner family on board. A sudden violent gust of wind struck the yacht making it capsize. The accident had no survivor as everyone on board drowned. The yacht was later recovered and renamed the Eagre. The Eagre participated in a survey of the Nantucket Shoals led by Lieutenant E.M. Hughes.

The Vasa was constructed at the command of King Gustavus Adolphus as the flagship of the standby regiment. The ship was under the command of Captain Sofring Hansson who received the command to set sail on the ship’s maiden voyage on August 10, 1628, from Alvsnabben. After a journey of approximately 4,200 feet to Tegelviken, water began filling the ship from the open gun ports. A strong wind had filled the ship’s sails, and because it was unstable, it was unable to right itself when forced on the port side. Thirty people died in spite of all the efforts of ships nearby. The ship was salvaged in 1961 and is now a major tourist attraction.

Safety Standards on Present-day Vessels

To prevent a catastrophic loss of life on a transport vessel stringent safety requirements have been set up. All ships are required to have enough lifeboats for all the people on board and the crew expected to be trained on proper evacuation procedures. Transport vessels are only certified once they have proven to have met all the required safety measures.

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Definition of 'maiden'

maiden in American English

Maiden in british english, examples of 'maiden' in a sentence maiden, trends of maiden.

View usage over: Since Exist Last 10 years Last 50 years Last 100 years Last 300 years

In other languages maiden

• American English : maiden / ˈmeɪdən /
• Brazilian Portuguese : donzela
• Chinese : 少女
• European Spanish : doncella
• French : jeune fille
• German : Mädchen
• Italian : fanciulla
• Japanese : 乙女
• Korean : 처녀
• European Portuguese : donzela
• Spanish : doncella
• Thai : ดรุณี, สาวน้อย
• Brazilian Portuguese : inaugural
• Chinese : 首次的
• European Spanish : inaugural
• French : inaugural
• German : Jungfern-
• Italian : inaugurale
• Japanese : 初めての
• Korean : 처녀항해
• European Portuguese : inaugural
• Spanish : inaugural
• Thai : ที่เป็นปฐมฤกษ์

Browse alphabetically maiden

• maid-in-waiting
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• iron maiden
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Definition of maiden adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• a maiden flight/voyage (= the first journey made by a plane/ship)
• a maiden speech (= the first speech made by an MP in the parliaments of some countries)

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

Other results

• Maiden Castle
• maiden over
• maiden names
• maiden voyages

Nearby words

eb68db_17d8dfbdd93242fdb15b33d30eea57aa.mp3

earliest,initiatory,untried,virgin

foremost,inaugural,introductory,original,pioneer

first, final, last, ending

Dictionary definition of maiden

Undertaken or experienced for the very first time, often with a sense of pioneering or uncharted territory. "The team is preparing for their maiden voyage across the ocean."

Detailed meaning of maiden

It implies a sense of novelty and inaugural significance. For example, a "maiden voyage" refers to the first journey of a newly built ship, emphasizing its untested nature and the anticipation of how it will perform. Similarly, a "maiden speech" might describe a politician's inaugural public address, highlighting the importance of this first communication with the public. In essence, "maiden" conveys the idea of a debut or an initial occurrence, often carrying with it a sense of excitement, potential, and the expectation of future developments.

Example sentences of maiden

1. The company's maiden product launch was a huge success. 2. The artist's maiden exhibition was well-received by critics. 3. The company's maiden flight was delayed due to technical issues. 4. The author's maiden novel was a bestseller. 5. The country's maiden space mission was a historic achievement. 6. The chef's maiden restaurant is now a Michelin-starred establishment.

History and etymology of maiden

The adjective 'maiden,' when used to describe something undertaken or experienced for the very first time, often carries a sense of pioneering or venturing into uncharted territory. Its etymology can be traced back to the Old English word 'mǣgden,' which referred to a young unmarried woman or a virgin. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the idea of something being in its initial or untouched state, akin to the purity and newness associated with a young woman who had not yet married. Thus, when we describe an endeavor or experience as 'maiden,' we are invoking the notion of it being a first-time or inaugural occurrence, often with an element of novelty or exploration, as if it were stepping into the unexplored realm of possibility.

Find the meaning of maiden

Further usage examples of maiden.

1. The team is looking forward to their maiden performance in the championship. 2. The company's maiden public offering was met with strong investor demand. 3. The singer's maiden album was a critical and commercial success. 4. The company's maiden self-driving car successfully completed its first test drive. 5. The athlete's maiden Olympic appearance ended in a gold medal. 6. Her maiden voyage as captain was filled with excitement and anticipation. 7. The maiden flight of the new aircraft was a momentous occasion. 8. The team celebrated their maiden championship win with joyous cheers. 9. The maiden edition of the magazine featured groundbreaking articles. 10. His maiden attempt at rock climbing was both challenging and rewarding. 11. The company's maiden product launch drew a crowd of eager customers. 12. The maiden solo performance by the young pianist left the audience spellbound. 13. Their maiden backpacking adventure took them through breathtaking landscapes. 14. The maiden art exhibition showcased the talents of emerging artists. 15. Her maiden foray into entrepreneurship was met with enthusiasm. 16. The maiden lunar landing was a historic milestone for mankind. 17. The maiden novel by the unknown author became an overnight sensation. 18. The maiden software release received positive reviews for its innovation. 19. His maiden speech as president-elect inspired hope and optimism. 20. The maiden attempt at a world record was a remarkable feat of endurance. 21. The maiden voyage of the cruise ship was marked by smooth sailing. 22. The maiden attempt to scale the uncharted peak was a daring adventure. 23. Her maiden race in the professional circuit was a thrilling experience. 24. The maiden harvest of the organic farm yielded bountiful produce. 25. The maiden art installation in the park added a touch of creativity to the landscape.

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[ meyd -n ]

• Archaic. a girl or young unmarried woman; maid.
• Archaic. a female virgin.
• a horse that has never won a race.
• a race open only to maiden horses.
• an instrument resembling the guillotine, formerly used in Scotland for beheading criminals.
• Cricket. maiden over.

her maiden virtues.

my maiden aunt.

• (of a girl or woman) never having had sexual intercourse; virgin.

a maiden flight.

• (of a horse) never having won a race or a prize.
• (of a prize or a race) offered for or open only to maiden horses.
• untried, as a knight, soldier, or weapon.

/ ˈmeɪdən /

• a young unmarried girl, esp when a virgin

a maiden blush

• a horse that has never won a race

a maiden race

• See maiden over cricket See maiden over
• dialect. Also calledclothes maiden a frame on which clothes are hung to dry; clothes horse

a maiden aunt

a maiden voyage

maiden speech

• modifier (of a person or thing) untried; unused
• modifier (of a place) never trodden, penetrated, or captured

Discover More

Derived forms.

• ˈmaidenish , adjective
• ˈmaiden-ˌlike , adjective

Other Words From

• maiden·ish adjective
• maiden·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maiden 1

Example Sentences

So many areas that it involves inputting the maiden name of your maternal grandmother and, of course, the scary phone number request.

The landing page of my personal website links to articles published under both bylines as well as articles published under my maiden name, Ruth Shalit.

If Munson was naked in them, well so were maidens in beloved paintings and sculptures.

The SN8′s maiden flight could have come as early as Friday, but the launch date slid repeatedly as observers read SpaceX’s plans in the tea leaves of local road closures and Federal Aviation Administration flight restrictions.

She happily dropped her maiden name of Williams and changed her last name when they got married.

People might be surprised that during that period “Maiden Voyage,” one of your most well-loved standards, began as a TV jingle.

She was a fair maiden, a beautiful virgin born on a summer's day, married on a summer's day.

She continued to go by the surname Wilhelm, but Bill took her maiden name as a tribute to her.

The Fed lent Maiden Lane $28.82 billion, and JPMorgan lent Maiden Lane $1.15 billion.

The Federal Reserve created Maiden Lane to smooth the way for the deal.

The exile and the maiden, in short, fell in love with each other, and they mutually vowed never to be parted but by force.

For forty years Anastatia Dodd had lived in maiden meditation fancy free.

"Oh, but dear Mrs. Dodd, suppose she couldn't help it," said the artless maiden with a blush and a little sigh.

A member of parliament took occasion to make his maiden speech, on a question respecting the execution of a particular statute.

Recall his threat when coughed down on the occasion of his maiden speech in the House of Commons.

Related Words

• introductory

[ ak -s uh -lot-l ]

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Meaning of maiden in English

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maiden noun [C] ( WOMAN )

• ankle-biter
• babe in arms
• comfort blanket
• designer baby
• new addition

maiden noun [C] ( CRICKET )

• all-rounder
• asking rate
• strike rate
• at first blush idiom
• at first idiom
• first come, first served idiom
• from the word go idiom
• in the first/second place idiom
• prototypical
• to begin with idiom

maiden | Intermediate English

Maiden adjective [not gradable] ( first ), maiden | business english, examples of maiden, translations of maiden.

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the fact that people or animals do what they are told to do

Dead ringers and peas in pods (Talking about similarities, Part 2)

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