: 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
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
Peter StarkExamples of kayak in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The beachfront location features two heated pools, kayak rentals, paddleboarding, and delicious on-site dining for a perfect Florida getaway.
—Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Launch your canoe, kayak or paddle board from the landing located near the waterfront deck.
—Alexandra Maloney
june 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Explore the waterways on a kayak before an afternoon of Pilates or a group yoga class.
—Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 9 June 2026
Lakeside Rentals, off the Cumberland River in nearby Kuttawa, Kentucky, provides kayaks and paddleboards, while Green Turtle Bay offers boat rentals on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
—Matt Kirouac, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Launch your canoe, kayak or paddle board from the landing located near the waterfront deck.
—Alexandra Maloney
june 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Explore the waterways on a kayak before an afternoon of Pilates or a group yoga class.
—Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 9 June 2026
Lakeside Rentals, off the Cumberland River in nearby Kuttawa, Kentucky, provides kayaks and paddleboards, while Green Turtle Bay offers boat rentals on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
—Matt Kirouac, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for kayak
Cite this Entry
“Kayak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kayak. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kayak
noun
kay·ak
ˈkī-ˌak 
1
: a canoe used by various Indigenous peoples of northern North America, Greenland, and eastern Siberia and made of a frame covered with skins except for a small opening in the center
2
: a small canoe resembling a kayak
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