: 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
Others included people who jumped off piers, were washed off piers, or fell out of boats or kayaks while not wearing life jackets.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
Just offshore, the sea still feels part of daily life, with ferries and kayaks connecting the urban with the wild.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Participants can bring their own watercraft or use a sit-on-top kayak at no charge.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025
Float down the Barren Fork River with beginner-friendly kayak rentals, then relax at the 8-acre pet-friendly campground featuring tent sites, RV hookups, and rental campers.
—Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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.
Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
Just offshore, the sea still feels part of daily life, with ferries and kayaks connecting the urban with the wild.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Participants can bring their own watercraft or use a sit-on-top kayak at no charge.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025
Float down the Barren Fork River with beginner-friendly kayak rentals, then relax at the 8-acre pet-friendly campground featuring tent sites, RV hookups, and rental campers.
—Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 13 July 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 25 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share