maiden voyage
C1Formal, journalistic, technical (maritime/aviation)
Definition
Meaning
The first journey made by a ship or other vehicle after being built or launched.
The first official use, launch, or performance of something new, such as a service, product, or project.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with ceremonial or historic first journeys; implies a sense of testing, inauguration, and potential risk.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both use the term identically in maritime and figurative contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of novelty, ceremony, and potential for problems.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to stronger maritime traditions, but common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [SHIP] embarked on its maiden voyage.The maiden voyage of the [SHIP] was [ADJECTIVE].to make/undertake a maiden voyageVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Off on its maiden voyage (starting something new)”
- “A maiden voyage of discovery (a first exploratory attempt)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically for the launch of a new product line or service: 'The company's maiden voyage into the Asian market was cautiously planned.'
Academic
Used in historical or engineering contexts discussing transportation history or project launches.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously for a first attempt: 'My maiden voyage as a dinner party host was a bit chaotic.'
Technical
Standard term in maritime and aerospace industries for the first official journey of a new vessel or aircraft.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The maiden-voyage festivities were attended by royalty.
- They faced maiden-voyage teething problems.
American English
- The maiden-voyage ceremony was spectacular.
- Maiden-voyage jitters are common among the crew.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The big ship is ready for its first trip.
- The new cruise ship's maiden voyage is next month.
- The luxury liner's maiden voyage from Southampton to New York attracted worldwide media attention.
- Despite meticulous planning, the spacecraft's maiden voyage was marred by a minor but concerning software glitch.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'maiden' (a young unmarried woman) starting her adult life. A ship's 'maiden voyage' is its first journey into its working life.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS A JOURNEY / A NEW ENTERPRISE IS A SHIP LAUNCHING.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like 'девичье путешествие'. The correct equivalent is 'первое плавание' or 'первый рейс'.
- Do not confuse with 'maiden flight' (первый полёт) which is specific to aircraft.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for any first attempt (too broad). It retains a strong link to vehicles or major ventures.
- Misspelling as 'maiden voyage' (correct) vs. 'maiden voyage' (incorrect).
- Using it as a verb, e.g., 'The ship will maiden voyage next week.' (Incorrect; must be a noun phrase).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'maiden voyage' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is commonly used figuratively for the first launch or use of any major new vehicle (aircraft, spacecraft) or large-scale enterprise, but its core meaning remains nautical.
A 'maiden voyage' is the first official passenger or cargo journey. A 'shakedown cruise' is a preliminary sea trial, often without passengers, to test the ship's systems before its maiden voyage.
Yes, it is formal and technical in literal use. In figurative use, it retains a formal or journalistic tone.
'Maiden' here uses an archaic meaning of 'first' or 'initial', seen also in terms like 'maiden speech' (first speech in parliament) or 'maiden over' (cricket).