Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

ark

noun \ ˈärk \
|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of ark

1 a : a boat or ship held to resemble that in which Noah and his family were preserved from the Flood
b : something that affords protection and safety
2 a : the sacred chest representing to the Hebrews the presence of God among them
b : a repository traditionally in or against the wall of a synagogue for the scrolls of the Torah

See ark defined for kids

Recent Examples of ark from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ark.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

A boat or ship held to resemble the one in which Noah and his family were preserved from the Flood is known as an ark. From this meaning comes the figurative meaning of ark as something that affords protection or safety. Ark is derived from the Latin word arca, meaning “chest,” which is akin to the Latin verb arcēre, meaning “to hold off or defend.” These Latin roots also gave us the use of ark to refer to the sacred chest representing to the Hebrews the presence of God among them and also to a repository that traditionally is in, or against, the wall of a synagogue for the scrolls of the Jewish Torah.

Origin and Etymology of ark

Middle English, from Old English arc, from Latin arca chest; akin to Latin arcēre to hold off, defend, Greek arkein, Hittite ḫark- to have, hold

Ark

abbreviation

Definition of Ark

Arkansas

ARK Defined for Kids

ark

noun, often capitalized \ ˈärk \

Definition of ark for Students

1 : the ship in which an ancient Hebrew of the Bible named Noah and his family were saved from a great flood that God sent down on the world because of its wickedness
2 : a cabinet in a synagogue for the scrolls of the Torah

Ark.

abbreviation

Definition of Ark. for Students

Arkansas

Learn More about ark

  1. See words that rhyme with ark Spanish Central: Translation of ark Nglish: Translation of ark for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ark for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ark

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ark? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

imperturbable

play

very hard to disturb or upset

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Ark
ark

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games