deckhand

noun

deck·​hand ˈdek-ˌhand How to pronounce deckhand (audio)
: a sailor who performs manual duties

Examples of deckhand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nathan, like his new deckhand, Tessa, isn’t even there for the first day of work. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 The split second the clock turns to the opening hour, buoys from every ship are tossed in the water and the 250-fathom deep gill net is cranked out by the deckhands. Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 The four employees included one male restaurant steward, one male laundry attendant, one male deckhand and a female 3rd officer on the ship, Sookyung Oh, executive director of the Hamkae Center, said, per The Virginian-Pilot. Charna Flam, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025 Eight months into his journey, Ortega said a chance encounter with a South African yacht deckhand in a Myanmar hostel changed his life. Kaela Ling, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deckhand

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deckhand was in 1844

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deckhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deckhand. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

deckhand

noun
deck·​hand ˈdek-ˌhand How to pronounce deckhand (audio)
: a sailor who performs manual duties

More from Merriam-Webster on deckhand

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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