: 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
Cruisers can also rent snorkeling gear, floats, and a selection of water sports gear, including Jet Skis, kayaks, water bikes, and stand-up paddleboards.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
Take a leisurely stroll around Bond Lake, or head to the boathouse to rent a kayak, canoe, or pedal boat.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
As normal, a couple of paddleboarders and a person on an inflatable kayak followed the group to keep an eye on swimmers.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks owner Jen Kleck says teenagers were jumping into the water from the top of Clam Cave in the La Jolla Cove area the afternoon of June 29 when one of them landed on and broke a kayak.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
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Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
Take a leisurely stroll around Bond Lake, or head to the boathouse to rent a kayak, canoe, or pedal boat.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 Dec. 2025
As normal, a couple of paddleboarders and a person on an inflatable kayak followed the group to keep an eye on swimmers.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
La Jolla Sea Cave Kayaks owner Jen Kleck says teenagers were jumping into the water from the top of Clam Cave in the La Jolla Cove area the afternoon of June 29 when one of them landed on and broke a kayak.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 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 27 Dec. 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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