: 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
According to a press release, the Jubilee ship rescued two men stranded in a kayak in the Gulf of Mexico.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
There’s a hydroponic garden lounge, golf simulator, billiards, and game room, plus organized adventures with paddleboards, kayaks, and e-bikes.
—Colin C. Campbell, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Enjoy the Outdoors For more wildlife encounters, check out Hunters Springs Park, a public park complete with a small beach, swimming area, canoe and kayak launch, and a boardwalk along the waterway that's ideal for bird spotting.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Imagine stepping off the boat onto pristine, untouched beaches or launching a kayak straight from the vessel into gin-clear waters.
—Uncruise Adventures, AFAR Media, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
There’s a hydroponic garden lounge, golf simulator, billiards, and game room, plus organized adventures with paddleboards, kayaks, and e-bikes.
—Colin C. Campbell, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Enjoy the Outdoors For more wildlife encounters, check out Hunters Springs Park, a public park complete with a small beach, swimming area, canoe and kayak launch, and a boardwalk along the waterway that's ideal for bird spotting.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2025
Imagine stepping off the boat onto pristine, untouched beaches or launching a kayak straight from the vessel into gin-clear waters.
—Uncruise Adventures, AFAR Media, 3 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 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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