: 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
Recent Examples on the Web
With more time, detour west for a half-day into tiny Siloam Springs, home to a postcard-charming downtown and impressive kayak park (open year-round; just check the website for current river conditions).
—AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
There are also boat tours, kayak and canoe rentals, hiking, and fishing within the park.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025
Some even bravely watched the film with their legs and toes dangling into the salt water while sitting on floaties, others on stand-up paddleboards and kayaks.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
One example cited by Powell of the go-go days is the big-ticket item that consumers bought during the pandemic, like a kayak, but who now don’t need a new one.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025
There are also boat tours, kayak and canoe rentals, hiking, and fishing within the park.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2025
Some even bravely watched the film with their legs and toes dangling into the salt water while sitting on floaties, others on stand-up paddleboards and kayaks.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
One example cited by Powell of the go-go days is the big-ticket item that consumers bought during the pandemic, like a kayak, but who now don’t need a new one.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 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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