deck

noun \ ˈdek \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of deck

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

3 a : 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

See deck defined for English-language learners

See deck defined for kids

Examples of deck in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of deck from the Web

All hands are on deck as even position players are expected to eat innings.

— matt doherty, BostonGlobe.com, "In May, it’s an arms’ race," 8 May 2018
Dzugan believes wearing a PFD on deck is the No. 1 way that fishermen can save themselves from becoming a statistic.

— laine welch, Anchorage Daily News, "A look at commercial fishing fatalities," 6 May 2018
The fact is every girl in the pool and every coach on the deck knew the rules — albeit incorrectly applied — as the overtime periods were being contested.

— mike bianchi, OrlandoSentinel.com, "UCF football team was not robbed as blatantly as Winter Park High water polo team," 2 May 2018
The team has two more days left in the City of Lights, with charity work and more historical viewings on deck.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football's day in France: Palace marriage proposal, paintball," 30 Apr. 2018
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo sent Chris Owings out on deck, but Nationals manager Dave Martinez made a pitching change before Owings had been announced.

— nick piecoro, azcentral, "Diamondbacks find ways to win, clinch another series victory," 28 Apr. 2018
Embiid then pulled him in for a hug as confetti rained on the court, team flags waved around them and the promise of a rowdy late-night celebration was on deck.

— Washington Post, "Believe it! 76ers roll with Meek Mill past Heat in Game 5," 24 Apr. 2018
After the counterpiracy demonstration, Spain’s AV-8B Harrier jets took off from the Juan Carlos I, then landed vertically on the deck.

— julian e. barnes, WSJ, "Spain Puts On a Show to Win Post-Brexit Military Role," 24 Apr. 2018
Build your own here on Sundays and enjoy it on the deck.

— liz biro, Indianapolis Star, "Best restaurants with outdoor seating in Broad Ripple," 11 Apr. 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.

Origin and Etymology of deck

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1509

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

deck Synonyms

Synonyms

balcony, sundeck, terrace;

Related Words

gallery;

lanai, porch, stoop, veranda (or verandah);

Other Building Terms

batten, cistern, hearth, lath, transom, wainscot

deck

verb

Definition of deck

transitive verb

1 obsolete : cover

2 a : 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

[¹deck]

: to furnish with or as if with a deck

[¹deck]

: to knock down forcibly : floor

decked him with one punch

See deck defined for English-language learners

Examples of deck in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of deck from the Web

Soon afterwards the trees open up on the right side of the road to reveal a massive new airplane hangar decked out in Alaska Airlines' signature blue.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Meet the Alaskans building your improved travel experience," 8 May 2018
This is the man who decked the country’s most recognizable abode with flowers when Clinton, Bush and Obama lived there.

— justin jacobs, Indianapolis Star, "Jason Aldean concert, Kevin Hart show among top things to do in Indianapolis this May," 1 May 2018
The Russo brothers’ solution to this dilemma is to turn a movie nominally about the Avengers into a movie about Thanos, played by Brolin decked out in lumpy mounds of purple CGI.

— alex abad-santos, Vox, "Avengers: Infinity War isn’t the best Marvel movie. But it’s Marvel’s most daring.," 24 Apr. 2018
At a recent game against Oak Hills, the grandchildren of a former NFL player, former MLB player, and former NBA player were on the diamond decked in green and gold.

— scott springer, Cincinnati.com, "Grandsons of famous pros Trumpy, May and Dierking take field for Sycamore baseball squad," 20 Apr. 2018
But his father, who famously hated flying and had a penchant for a playboy lifestyle, is said to have decked the train out for lavish parties, bouts of heavy drinking and karaoke on his many journeys by rail.

— Washington Post, "North Korean leaders travel in a train unlike any other," 27 Mar. 2018
Mind you, there’s also no need to give presents, deck the halls or dress up — just chow down or drink up.

— tod caviness, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Food holidays: 12 feast fests to try," 1 Feb. 2018
The owners combined six side-by-side strip mall bays, knocking down the walls and decking out the space in blonde wood and imported tables and chairs from Poland.

— mark kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Polka serves some of metro Detroit's best Polish food, in Troy," 25 Apr. 2018
The monotony is interrupted by the appearance of a wife, all decked out in her blue cape, a strange addition to the Colonies, where only the worst of Gilead's offenders go.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "'The Handmaid's Tale' Episode 2 recap: Colonial times, and Alexis Bledel," 25 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of deck

Dutch dekken to cover; akin to Old High German decchen

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1513

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

deck Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of deck

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

DECK Defined for English Language Learners

deck

noun

Definition of deck for English Language Learners

: a flat surface that forms the main outside floor of a boat or ship
: one of the levels on a bus, ship, etc.
: one of the seating levels in a sports stadium

deck

verb

Definition of deck for English Language Learners

: to decorate (something)
: to knock (someone) down by hitting very hard

DECK Defined for Kids

deck

noun \ ˈdek \

Definition of deck for Students

1 : a floor that goes from one side of a ship to the other

2 : something like the deck of a ship

the deck of a house

3 : a pack of playing cards

deck

verb

Definition of deck for Students

decked; decking

: to dress or decorate especially in a fancy way

The house is decked out for the holidays.

Learn More about deck

See words that rhyme with deck Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deck Spanish Central: Translation of deck Nglish: Translation of deck for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of deck for Arabic speakers

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deck

Definition of deck

Examples of deck in a Sentence

Recent Examples of deck from the Web

Origin and Etymology of deck

deck Synonyms

Synonyms

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Other Building Terms

deck

Definition of deck

Examples of deck in a Sentence

Recent Examples of deck from the Web

Origin and Etymology of deck

deck Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of deck

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DECK Defined for English Language Learners

deck

Definition of deck for English Language Learners

deck

Definition of deck for English Language Learners

DECK Defined for Kids

deck

Definition of deck for Students

deck

Definition of deck for Students

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