kayak

noun

kay·​ak ˈkī-ˌak How to pronounce kayak (audio)
: 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 noun
kayaking noun

Examples of kayak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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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

Word History

Etymology

Inuit qayaq

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kayak was in 1757

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kayak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kayak. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

kayak

noun
kay·​ak ˈkī-ˌak How to pronounce kayak (audio)
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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