: 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
Note that the bar is only accessible by boat, but not kayaks or stand-up paddleboards.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
The family, from the state capital Perth, were using kayaks and paddleboards on Friday morning when rough ocean and wind conditions started dragging them out.
—Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Some people know how to build a kayak; others don’t.
—Thomas Morgan, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
Amenities include public restrooms, a snack bar, and a beach concession that rents chairs, cabanas, canoes, and kayaks.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
The family, from the state capital Perth, were using kayaks and paddleboards on Friday morning when rough ocean and wind conditions started dragging them out.
—Rod McGuirk, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Some people know how to build a kayak; others don’t.
—Thomas Morgan, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
Amenities include public restrooms, a snack bar, and a beach concession that rents chairs, cabanas, canoes, and kayaks.
—Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Jan. 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 11 Feb. 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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