1
as in shortening
to make less in extent or duration
the editorial was docked by about a hundred words to make it fit on the page
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2
as in shaving
to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument
the boxer's tail was docked soon after birth
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as in landing
to stop at or near a place along the shore
the cruise ship docked at the first port of call early the next morning
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Recent Examples of docking
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
China is currently conducting experiments high above the Earth, with the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites apparently conducting rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs), docking and performing a first-ever refueling in geostationary orbit.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Navy and Marine leaders celebrate the opening of Exercise UNITAS 2025 onboard the United States amphibious transport docking ship USS Arlington at Naval Station Mayport in Florida on September 15.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Practical Tips For Visby Cruise Visitors Most ships docking in Visby stay for six to ten hours, which is plenty of time to experience the highlights.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As this summer comes to a close, the Piers Park Sailing Center is one of nearly 250 summer programs docking a record-breaking number of Boston kids back at their schools with new skills and experiences.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Instead of docking at one of Fort Lauderdale’s four pumpout stations to empty the waste tanks themselves, boaters will be able to request service from the pumpout vessel using the city’s FixIt FTL app.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025
China is currently conducting experiments high above the Earth, with the Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 satellites apparently conducting rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs), docking and performing a first-ever refueling in geostationary orbit.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Navy and Marine leaders celebrate the opening of Exercise UNITAS 2025 onboard the United States amphibious transport docking ship USS Arlington at Naval Station Mayport in Florida on September 15.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Practical Tips For Visby Cruise Visitors Most ships docking in Visby stay for six to ten hours, which is plenty of time to experience the highlights.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
As this summer comes to a close, the Piers Park Sailing Center is one of nearly 250 summer programs docking a record-breaking number of Boston kids back at their schools with new skills and experiences.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Docking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/docking. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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