: 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
More than 200 rescues were made on Oahu by local authorities, as well as by residents who swam out or used surfboards and kayaks to help others.
—Tiare-Leiana Solis-Ridgell, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Netflix played it up too, with 73 kayaks in McCovey Cove to represent each of Bonds’ 73 home runs in setting the major league record in 2001.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
What better way to experience the clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe than on a clear glass kayak?
—Brian Higgins, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
By contrast, some considerably heavier origami-style folding kayaks have flat planing hulls, and are thus harder to keep going in a straight line.
—Ben Coxworth
march 25, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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Tiare-Leiana Solis-Ridgell, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Netflix played it up too, with 73 kayaks in McCovey Cove to represent each of Bonds’ 73 home runs in setting the major league record in 2001.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
What better way to experience the clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe than on a clear glass kayak?
—Brian Higgins, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
By contrast, some considerably heavier origami-style folding kayaks have flat planing hulls, and are thus harder to keep going in a straight line.
—Ben Coxworth
march 25, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 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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