: 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
There are so many ways to fill time, including paddleboards, kayaks, direct beach access, a tiki hut, and a pool table.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 25 Nov. 2025
Joe had the best line of all nine rafts and five kayaks, Marzulla said.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 24 Nov. 2025
When there was ice, the hunting was done by dogsled; when there was open water, it was done by kayak.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Vessels that cannot be banded, such as car-top boats, kayaks and canoes, will be inspected and cleared prior to launch at Camanche, San Pablo, Lafayette and Chabot reservoirs.
—Bay City News Service, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 25 Nov. 2025
Joe had the best line of all nine rafts and five kayaks, Marzulla said.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 24 Nov. 2025
When there was ice, the hunting was done by dogsled; when there was open water, it was done by kayak.
—Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Vessels that cannot be banded, such as car-top boats, kayaks and canoes, will be inspected and cleared prior to launch at Camanche, San Pablo, Lafayette and Chabot reservoirs.
—Bay City News Service, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 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 29 Nov. 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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