deck

noun

\ˈdek

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

on deck

1 : ready for duty

2 : next in line : next in turn

deck

verb

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

Outside, the multi-level deck and patio is festooned with flowering planters and railroad-themed accents. — Philip Potempa, Daily Southtown, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Flossmoor Station and Brewery," 7 July 2018 If this imbalance were limited to a single chamber of the legislature, or a single election cycle, the Democrats’ frequent carping about a stacked electoral deck might sound like sour grapes. — The Economist, "America’s electoral system gives the Republicans advantages over Democrats," 12 July 2018 At their core, e-scooter companies promise to do what any mode of transit does: Get you from point A to point B, this time on a slim foot-deck that carries you at speeds up to 15 mph. — Madeline Buxton, refinery29.com, "How Scooters Became A Go-To Instagram Prop — & The Next Transportation Revolution," 12 July 2018 Apart from the idyllic surroundings, the centerpiece of the home is the cathedral ceiling living room, which boasts a wall of windows that opens up to a deck overlooking the deep green landscape. — Alex Bazeley, Curbed, "18th-century mill house in lush Connecticut backwoods asks $995K," 11 July 2018 In addition to a pool and spa, the grounds contain a fountain, a covered patio and a deck that draws mountain views. — Jack Flemming, latimes.com, "Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean eyes a home sale in Westlake Village," 11 July 2018 First a grill caught fire on a deck at a garden apartment house in the 100 block of Sunny Brook Terrace in the Gaithersburg area. — Martin Weil, Washington Post, "Cooking leads to three fires in Montgomery County," 9 July 2018 Last week, sunbathers lounged on a pool deck high above the bay here, on a block that was devastated by the storm. — New York Times, "New Buildings Rise in Flood Zones," 6 July 2018 The fireworks, which will be fired from a parking deck on Central Piedmont Community College's campus, can reach altitudes of more than 1,000 feet. — Rachel Jones, charlotteobserver, "Fireworks return to Memorial Stadium after five years. Here's what you need to know.," 2 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Electric Forest definitely decks its stages out with ASL interpretors, and Marshmello is scheduled to perform at the woodland festival this weekend, Thursday (June 28) to Sunday. — Kat Bein, Billboard, "Marshmello Signs in ASL Version of 'You Can Cry' Video: Watch," 28 June 2018 Stuck in the hotel with Jean are a bunch of guests named after their rooms, each of which is decked out with peeling murals of vacation destinations. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Hotel Artemis Wastes Its Cult-Classic Potential," 8 June 2018 There have been some dramatic changes to the look of the Falcon 9, which is now standing vertical at 39A decked out with black landing legs and a carbon fiber interstage separating the first and second stages of the rocket. — Robin Seemangal, Popular Mechanics, "SpaceX Test-Fires New Falcon 9 Block 5 Rocket Ahead of Maiden Flight (Updated)," 4 May 2018 The ever-energetic corner eatery has a funky, homespun vibe and is decked out with plenty of colorful alterna-folk art from painter Dr. Bob. — Nevin Martell, chicagotribune.com, "Where to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in New Orleans," 26 Apr. 2018 Sandals decked with gold-leaf ornaments underscore a fundamental rule of royal locomotion: The king’s foot must never touch the ground or famine will strike, so a spare pair is always at hand. — Susan Delson, WSJ, "In Dallas, the Golden Legacy of Ghana," 12 Apr. 2018 When Johnson lived there, the house had a private poker room with a firefighter pole that dropped you down to a movie theater decked out with lots of big, comfy leather seats built especially for his family. — azcentral, "AZ Memo: UA's de Kooning painting on Jeopardy; New farmers market debuts; Randy Johnson's PV mansion price drops and more," 6 Apr. 2018 Similar to the Brooklyn location, the space is decked out with tropical decor reminiscent of shuffleboard’s association with sunny Florida and retirement communities. — Hannah Steinkopf-frank, RedEye Chicago, "Get ready to shuffle at Chicago’s first shuffleboard club," 3 Apr. 2018 The teams and their legions of fans arrived in a downtown decked out in vibrant colors, with the Final Four logo plastered on most available surfaces from the River Walk to the Alamo. — Creg Stephenson, AL.com, "Final Four 2018: Loyola-Chicago vs. Michigan live stream, score updates, time, TV channel," 31 Mar. 2018

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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