: 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
And the vessel comes equipped with a dive center and a fleet of kayaks, foil boards, and paddleboards.
—Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
On-site gear rentals include Santa Cruz e-bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel equipment.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026
While officers prepared a kayak for a rescue, the bystanders were able to get a rope to the man who then used it to pull himself all the way out of the water.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Swim in the Gulf, or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
On-site gear rentals include Santa Cruz e-bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel equipment.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026
While officers prepared a kayak for a rescue, the bystanders were able to get a rope to the man who then used it to pull himself all the way out of the water.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Swim in the Gulf, or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kayak
Cite this Entry
“Kayak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kayak. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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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