kayak

noun

kay·​ak ˈkī-ˌak 

: a light narrow boat that has both ends tapered to a point, is propelled by a double-bladed paddle, and often has a closed top except for an opening in which the paddler sits with the legs extended straight out in front:

a

: a traditional boat that is typically associated with the Indigenous peoples (such as the Aleuts and Inuits) of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, is usually made of a frame of wood or bone covered with animal skin, and is used especially for hunting and transport

Similar stone pillars guided Inuit seafarers traveling by umiak or kayak along the complex coasts of their realm.

—Fred Bruemmer

b

: a boat that is based on the traditional kayak and is typically made of plastic or fiberglass and is used especially for recreational purposes

Today's recreationists likewise have discovered that, among paddle-powered boats, the kayak has no equal for its graceful combination of lightness, portability, seaworthiness and speed.

—Peter Stark

kayak intransitive verb

kayaker

ˈkī-ˌa-kər 

noun

kayaking

ˈkī-ˌa-kiŋ 

noun

Examples of kayak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And, of course, the beach offers easy access for kayaks, paddleboards, swimming, and boating. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024

The top draw here is, of course, the lake, and visitors can bring their own boats, kayaks, and wakeboards, or rent a pontoon from White Lake Marina & Watersports. —Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 26 Mar. 2024

The park has a 230-acre lake and offers seasonal rentals of canoes and kayaks. —The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024

In a very particular corner of Portland, Ore., there is a dive bar whose vending machine dispenses tarot cards and a dessert joint with a white-water kayak in its bathroom. —Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024

Lifeguards will be entered to win a bike from Wheel and Sprocket, kayak rentals from Milwaukee Kayak Company, a variety of gift cards to local businesses courtesy of Visit Milwaukee and more. —Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024

What to do: After your kayak journey, wander through the ruins of the key. —Emma Janssen, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024

By that point, the kayak was roughly 200 yards downstream and Parwey motored down to retrieve it. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 22 Feb. 2024

Included with your resort fee is daily bicycle, kayak, and paddleboard rental, as well as pier fishing. —Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Inuit qayaq

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

kayak

noun

kay·​ak ˈkī-ˌak 

1

: an Eskimo canoe made of a frame covered with skins except for a small opening in the center

2

: a small canvas-covered canoe resembling a kayak