deck

¹deck

noun \ˈdek\

Definition of DECK

1

: a platform in a ship serving usually as a structural element and forming the floor for its compartments

2

: something resembling the deck of a ship: as a : a story or tier of a building (as a sports stadium) <the upper deck> b : the roadway of a bridge c : a flat floored roofless area adjoining a house d : the lid of the compartment at the rear of the body of an automobile; also : the compartment e : a layer of clouds

3

a : a pack of playing cards b : a packet of narcotics

4

: tape deck

— on deck

1

: ready for duty

2

: next in line : next in turn

Examples of DECK

1. We stood on the deck and watched dolphins swim near the ship.
2. A number of passengers had come on deck.
3. a seat on the streetcar's top deck
4. a cabin on B deck
5. We sat in the lower deck.
6. We ate out on the deck.

Origin of DECK

Middle English dekke covering of a ship, from Middle Dutch *dec covering, probably from Middle Low German vordeck, from vordecken to cover, from vor- for- + decken to cover; akin to Old High German decchen to cover — more at thatch

First Known Use: 1509

Related to DECK

Synonyms: balcony, sundeck, terrace

Related Words: gallery; lanai, porch, stoop, veranda (or verandah)

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Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

Rhymes with DECK

beck, Cech, check, Czech, dreck, Eck, fleck, heck, Lech, lek, neck, pec, peck, reck, sec, sneck, spec, speck, trek, wreak, wreck