galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈga-lē 

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

• galley 1a

Examples of galley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Determined to rise to the occasion and work out every possible kink, Daisy sets out to resolve conflicts between the stews and in the galley. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2026

There’s a separate, full-size dining room off the kitchen — a large galley with oversize windows that look out onto a private courtyard. —Katie McDonough, Curbed, 27 Apr. 2026

While making the Skookum roomier than the average off-road 'drop camper, Tactical doesn't go quite so far as to equip it with an interior galley or bathroom. —New Atlas, 27 Apr. 2026

The divider dampens cabin noise and provides a visual barrier from the aisle, restroom lines and galley traffic. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing galley

• galley-west

Rhymes for galley

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally
• salley

Kids Definition

galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈgal-ē 

plural galleys

1

: a large low ship of olden times moved by oars and sails

2

: the kitchen especially of a ship or airplane