kayak

noun

kay·​ak ˈkī-ˌak 

: 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

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

kayak intransitive verb

kayaker

ˈkī-ˌa-kər 

noun

kayaking

ˈkī-ˌa-kiŋ 

noun

Examples of kayak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The family-friendly resort offers a host of amenities, including complimentary kayaks and paddleboards to use at the private beach, two heated pools, a luxurious spa, and more. — Megan Dubois, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Outdoor activities The New River is dotted with self-serve kayak and paddleboard rentals. — Eva Flowe, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Foliage-seekers can alight in the town of Winona, Minnesota, located on an island in the Mississippi—where visitors hike, kayak, or fish amid craggy river bluffs carpeted with ever-changing treetops. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, those who want a little more action on the waves can zoom around on WaveRunners, float on kayaks and paddle boards or even rent a boat to chart their own course. — South Seas Island Resort, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Inuit qayaq

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kayak

• dayak
• nayak

Kids 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