kayak

noun

kay·​ak ˈkī-ˌak How to pronounce kayak (audio)
: 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 noun
kayaking noun

Examples of kayak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For kayak tours, anywhere from $100 to $200 a week. Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 18 Apr. 2024 There’s an array of watercraft at your disposal — jet skis, sea-bobs, kayaks, paddleboards, and water bicycles — for reef explorations and close encounters with turtles, rays, exotic fish, and centuries-old bommies (columnar corals, an indigenous word) submerged beneath the sea. Kendall Hill, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for kayak 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kayak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Inuit qayaq

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kayak was in 1757

Dictionary Entries Near kayak

Cite this Entry

“Kayak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kayak. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

kayak

noun
kay·​ak ˈkī-ˌak How to pronounce kayak (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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