galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈga-lē How to pronounce galley (audio)
plural galleys
1
: a ship or boat propelled solely or chiefly by oars: such as
a
: a long low ship used for war and trading especially in the Mediterranean Sea from the Middle Ages to the 19th century
also : galleass
b
: a warship of classical antiquity compare bireme, trireme
c
: a large open boat (such as a gig) formerly used in England
2
: the kitchen and cooking apparatus especially of a ship or airplane
3
a
: an oblong tray to hold especially a single column of set type
b
: a proof of typeset matter especially in a single column before being made into pages

Illustration of galley

Illustration of galley
  • galley 1a

Examples of galley 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.
The dining room comes with a third fireplace, while a modernized galley kitchen is outfitted with Viking and Sub-Zero appliances. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 15 May 2025 Her modest galley kitchen in Los Angeles retains its charming period tile and sky-high cabinets that reach the 14-foot ceiling. Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025 The galley also includes a sink, large worktop and 220-V kettle. New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025 These are a great option for smaller kitchens with tight walkways, like galley kitchens. Alice Knisley Matthias, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for galley

Word History

Etymology

Middle English galeie, galey, borrowed from Anglo-French galee, galeie (continental Old French galee, galie), borrowed (probably in part via Upper Italian dialects) from Middle Greek galéa, after galéa "the shark Galeorhinus galeus," probably re-formation of Greek galeós, a name for the same fish, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of galley was in the 13th century

Cite this Entry

“Galley.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galley. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

galley

noun
gal·​ley ˈgal-ē How to pronounce galley (audio)
plural galleys
1
: a large low ship of olden times moved by oars and sails
2
: the kitchen especially of a ship or airplane

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