: a light narrow boat that has both ends tapered to a point, is propelled by a double-bladed paddle, and often has a closed top except for an opening in which the paddler sits with the legs extended straight out in front:
a
: a traditional boat that is typically associated with the Indigenous peoples (such as the Aleuts and Inuits) of Alaska, Canada, and Greenland, is usually made of a frame of wood or bone covered with animal skin, and is used especially for hunting and transport
Similar stone pillars guided Inuit seafarers traveling by umiak or kayak along the complex coasts of their realm.—
Fred Bruemmer
Fred Bruemmer
b
: a boat that is based on the traditional kayak and is typically made of plastic or fiberglass and is used especially for recreational purposes
Today's recreationists likewise have discovered that, among paddle-powered boats, the kayak has no equal for its graceful combination of lightness, portability, seaworthiness and speed.—Peter Stark
Peter StarkExamples of kayak in a Sentence
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Tina Hambly, the 55-year-old mother of Joyce's best friend and roommate, helped with the search for the college friends using a kayak oar to poke at branches and other debris.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 7 July 2025
Oru Lake Kayak for $399 (100 off) Oru Kayak
Oru's foldable kayaks are genius—all the boat, none of the size.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 5 July 2025
Located on a channel that leads to the Atlantic, Beaufort also appeals to those who want to see the beach, spend the day on a boat, go fishing, or kayak along the waterways.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Will County also offers other accessible features, including an accessible kayak launch at Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Minooka and communication boards at the environmental center.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
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Abigail Adams, People.com, 7 July 2025
Oru Lake Kayak for $399 (100 off) Oru Kayak
Oru's foldable kayaks are genius—all the boat, none of the size.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 5 July 2025
Located on a channel that leads to the Atlantic, Beaufort also appeals to those who want to see the beach, spend the day on a boat, go fishing, or kayak along the waterways.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Will County also offers other accessible features, including an accessible kayak launch at Lake Chaminwood Preserve in Minooka and communication boards at the environmental center.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
Cite this Entry
“Kayak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kayak. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kayak
noun
kay·ak
ˈkī-ˌak 
1
: a canoe used by various Indigenous peoples of northern North America, Greenland, and eastern Siberia and made of a frame covered with skins except for a small opening in the center
2
: a small canoe resembling a kayak
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