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

As a special treat for guests who stay in one of Ocean House’s 18 Signature Suites or seven cottages are invited to enjoy dining in the exclusive club room, with its own fireplace, bar, dining area and deck. — Hannah Seligson, Town & Country, "The Best Room At," 8 Mar. 2019 The awards-season months become an all-hands-on-deck affair at studios. — Erich Schwartzel, WSJ, "Is an Oscar Campaign Worth the Time and Money?," 22 Feb. 2019 To me, the plants look lush and tropical and perfect for the porch patio or deck. — Norman Winter, sacbee, "Soon, you’ll be playing that Funky Pink in your displays," 6 July 2018 In his race against Republican Ed Gillespie, Mr. Northam dealt the race card from the bottom of the deck. — William Mcgurn, WSJ, "Ralph Northam ‘Apologizes’," 11 Feb. 2019 One contractor, tasked with picking up and charging the vehicles warned Lime in early September of cracks in the underside of the deck. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Lime issues recall for a scooter model after reports that they can break apart," 10 Nov. 2018 Gavin Rea via Designboom All of the configurations have large square windows, a light wood facade, and some form of deck. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Prefab home concept appears to float above the landscape," 15 Oct. 2018 Fellow rookie Ryan Meisinger entered two batters later and yielded a three-run homer that Brian Dozier sent into the first row of the second deck in left field. — Eduardo A. Encina, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles seal third winless road trip of season with 10-1 loss to Twins," 8 July 2018 During construction, no more than half of the parking spaces on the upper level of the deck will be removed from service at any one time. — Michelle Mullins, Naperville Sun, "Naperville News Digest: Whalon Lake volunteers sought, parking deck work starts Monday, more," 6 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The most costly assets at Mr. Ghosn’s disposal were the series of private jets that Nissan had purchased over the last 18 years, each decked out with a vanity-plate registration number: N155AN. — Patricia Kowsmann, WSJ, "The Fall of the House of Ghosn," 16 Dec. 2018 Nick Pappas/Twitter The White House has decked its halls for the holidays. — Aja Romano, Vox, "Melania Trump’s White House Christmas decorations have become a horror meme yet again," 27 Nov. 2018 That feathered crunch extended to fish tacos decked out with a salad bar of radishes, slaw, cilantro, cucumbers and pico de gallo. — Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: Folc Burger’s stayin’ alive at Bexar Pub," 17 May 2018 Lena Blietz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Across the street from the party was the bus Vander Esch’s father, Darwin, had decked out with his son’s name and Boise State logos that traveled to home games and some on the road. — Dave Southorn, idahostatesman, "'It makes me want to cry a little bit.' Riggins beams as Vander Esch gets drafted. | Idaho Statesman," 26 Apr. 2018 Then, meander your way through authentic film sets like Diagon Alley, Platform 9 3/4, and Number 4 Privet Drive, some of which are decked out for the holidays. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "London’s Harry Potter Studio Tour Is Even More Magical in the Snow," 25 Dec. 2018 Not only is Magnolia Market all decked out for the holidays, but Chip and Jo's farmhouse is just as festive, with not one but two Christmas trees this year. — Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, "Chip and Joanna Released a Christmas Playlist So You Can Listen to All Their Favorite Songs," 23 Dec. 2018 The solo shot of Colman as Her Majesty is pretty damn spot-on—the matriarch sips a cup of tea while decked out in a pink jacket and her signature pearls. — Ruby Buddemeyer, Marie Claire, "A Photo of Olivia Colman as The Queen in 'The Crown' Is Finally Here," 16 July 2018 Major League Soccer last week awarded Cincinnati an expansion franchise, an announcement that drew thousands of fans decked out in orange and blue and international attention for Cincinnati. — Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Visionary or too cocky? How West Sider Jeff Berding brought Major League Soccer to Cincinnati," 6 June 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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