deck

noun

\ ˈdek

plural decks

Definition of deck

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a platform in a ship serving usually as a structural element and forming the floor for its compartments

2 : something resembling the deck of a ship: such as

a : a story or tier of a building (such as a sports stadium) the upper deck

b : the roadway of a bridge

c : a flat floored roofless area adjoining a house

d : the lid of the compartment at the rear of the body of an automobile also : the compartment

e : a layer of clouds

3a : a pack of playing cards

b : a packet of narcotics

4 : tape deck

5 : a collection of visual or photographic slides presented usually one after another as a slideshow Pompliano was on the job for a mere three weeks in 2015, but in that time he prepared a PowerPoint deck laying out what he believed were the key inaccuracies in the company's numbers.— Gene Maddaus Accompanying a talk with images is standard professional practice, but a poorly organized or dense slide deck can spoil a presentation.— Jeff Link

on deck

1 : ready for duty

2 : next in line : next in turn

deck

verb

decked; decking; decks

Definition of deck (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 obsolete : cover

2a : to clothe in a striking or elegant manner : array decked out in furs

b : decorate deck the halls with boughs of holly — English carol

c : to portray or present with embellishments

3 [ ¹deck ] : to furnish with or as if with a deck

4 [ ¹deck ] : to knock down forcibly : floor decked him with one punch

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about deck

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Choose the Right Synonym for deck

Verb

adorn, decorate, ornament, embellish, beautify, deck, garnish mean to enhance the appearance of something by adding something unessential. adorn implies an enhancing by something beautiful in itself. a diamond necklace adorned her neck decorate suggests relieving plainness or monotony by adding beauty of color or design. decorate a birthday cake ornament and embellish imply the adding of something extraneous, ornament stressing the heightening or setting off of the original a white house ornamented with green shutters , embellish often stressing the adding of superfluous or adventitious ornament. embellish a page with floral borders beautify adds to embellish a suggestion of counterbalancing plainness or ugliness. will beautify the grounds with flower beds deck implies the addition of something that contributes to gaiety, splendor, or showiness. a house all decked out for Christmas garnish suggests decorating with a small final touch and is used especially in referring to the serving of food. an entrée garnished with parsley

Examples of deck in a Sentence

Noun

We stood on the deck and watched dolphins swim near the ship. A number of passengers had come on deck. a seat on the streetcar's top deck a cabin on B deck We sat in the lower deck. We ate out on the deck.

Verb

We spent hours decking the chapel with flowers before the wedding. He decked him with one punch.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Troops practiced emergency first aid response and trained on the flight deck and in the aircraft carrier hangar deck, at times using guns made of rubber in battle scenarios. — Washington Post, "Warship shows Japan’s determination to expand military role," 3 July 2019 Multiple fireworks ignited on the deck, lighting the home’s siding on fire, but the flames did not reach the interior, the chiefs said. — Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, "Man injured, home damaged by illegal fireworks in Taunton," 3 July 2019 The backyard contains a heated pool, hot tub, fire pit and viewing deck, all placed on the mountainside. — Riley Murdock, azcentral, "Posh Places: $2.8 million Mesa mountain home boasts view of entire Valley," 29 June 2019 From those windows or the deck, visitors watch eagles swoop and soar above the confluence of the Mississippi and Chippewa rivers. — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, "He has a real eagle eye — Wabasha man’s collection is the largest in the country," 29 June 2019 Much of the repair work and investigations involved work on the third-level bus deck, which now needs to be put back together and cleaned up. — Michael Cabanatuan, SFChronicle.com, "Transbay transit center scheduled to open — again — on Monday," 28 June 2019 The development will have a clubroom, fitness center, third-floor amenity deck, outdoor cooking, bike storage and coworking spaces as an option for residents who work from home. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Real estate transactions: Distribution International inks sublease in KBR Tower," 28 June 2019 There are also two outdoor decks, a den and two offices that could also be used as art studios. — Katherine Clarke, WSJ, "Jackie O’s Compound on Martha’s Vineyard Hits Market for $65 Million," 27 June 2019 From there, access hiking, observation decks, a museum, gift shop and two restaurants. — Erin Behan, USA TODAY, "Escape to Palm Springs with a vacation designed just for you," 26 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Pioneer Park will be decked out in red, white and blue for its patriotic fest featuring a parade, costume contest, a pie-baking contest, games and live music by The Mockery. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "42 ways to celebrate July 4 in San Diego County with fireworks and parades," 27 June 2019 People were decked in pride colors from head to toe, many holding placards and waving pride flags. — Linda Girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora's Pride Parade: 'A wonderful way to celebrate all those who for so long were crushed'," 9 June 2019 Downtown Oakland’s landmark buildings are decked in blue and gold as the Golden State Warriors take on the Toronto Raptors in their fifth straight NBA finals. — Ray Chavez, The Mercury News, "Photos: Downtown Oakland celebrates Golden State Warriors with blue and gold lights for NBA Finals," 5 June 2019 The set was completely decked out in Christmas props, but the crew still stressed the importance that each and every frame in each and every scene look festive. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "Here’s What It’s Really Like on the Set of a Hallmark Christmas Movie," 22 Dec. 2018 While Ernie was showing off how he was decked out in green, Chuck pulled out his wallet and dropped money on the table. — Alysha Tsuji, USA TODAY, "Charles Barkley's St. Patrick’s Day green is his cash," 17 Mar. 2018 While Ernie was showing off how he was decked out in green, Chuck pulled out his wallet and dropped money on the table. — Alysha Tsuji, For The Win, "Charles Barkley put cash on the table when asked for his St. Patrick’s Day green," 17 Mar. 2018 Clad in cedar shingles and dark-stained wood, the two-story features a beach-facing balcony and decking that runs the length of the home. — Neal J. Leitereg, latimes.com, "'True Detective' star Stephen Dorff sells Malibu home for $7.5 million," 6 June 2019 Situated in the historic eponymous town, the Roxbury Motel offers a kitschy twist on the Catskills experience with its lavishly decked out rooms that pay homage to some of film and TV’s most iconic characters. — Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, "7 Dreamy Memorial Day Getaway Hotels To Book Now," 13 May 2019

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

History and Etymology for deck

Noun

Middle English dekke covering of a ship, from Middle Dutch *dec covering, probably from Middle Low German vordeck, from vordecken to cover, from vor- for- + decken to cover; akin to Old High German decchen to cover — more at thatch

Verb

Dutch dekken to cover; akin to Old High German decchen

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