galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈga-lē 

plural galleys

1

: a ship or boat propelled solely or chiefly by oars: such as

a

: a long low ship used for war and trading especially in the Mediterranean Sea from the Middle Ages to the 19th century

also : galleass

b

: a warship of classical antiquity compare bireme, trireme

c

: a large open boat (such as a gig) formerly used in England

2

: the kitchen and cooking apparatus especially of a ship or airplane

3

a

: an oblong tray to hold especially a single column of set type

b

: a proof of typeset matter especially in a single column before being made into pages

Illustration of galley

• galley 1a

Examples of galley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, in the middle of dinner service, as Josh is trying to focus, Cathy and other crewmembers goof off in the galley. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026

It's arranged in a galley style, with cabinets on each wall, and has a steel sink, a small fridge, a microwave, and a useful pull-out section that increases counter space. —New Atlas, 15 Jan. 2026

Elsewhere on the main deck is a dining area for 10, a galley with an adjoining pantry, and a full-beam owner’s suite with all the requisite luxuries. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2026

Explore and shop for Braves bobbleheads, aircraft trading cards, full-size galley carts, airport and Sky Club seating — all the conversation pieces your home needs. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English galeie, galey, borrowed from Anglo-French galee, galeie (continental Old French galee, galie), borrowed (probably in part via Upper Italian dialects) from Middle Greek galéa, after galéa "the shark Galeorhinus galeus," probably re-formation of Greek galeós, a name for the same fish, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing galley

• galley-west

Rhymes for galley

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally
• salley

Kids Definition

galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈgal-ē 

plural galleys

1

: a large low ship of olden times moved by oars and sails

2

: the kitchen especially of a ship or airplane