: 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
When the boat was first abandoned, a kayak was onboard.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Bring your own watercraft or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at the park for an easy-breezy paddle.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024
Along with paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling, new activities and features include clear-bottomed kayaks, sailing Hobie experiences, tandem kayaking, a catamaran, and pedal boarding.
—Laurie Werner, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
The teen was saved early on Thursday, Oct. 17, after getting separated from his high school paddling team the evening prior when his kayak capsized a half mile south of Honolulu's Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kayak 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Bring your own watercraft or rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at the park for an easy-breezy paddle.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2024
Along with paddle boarding, kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling, new activities and features include clear-bottomed kayaks, sailing Hobie experiences, tandem kayaking, a catamaran, and pedal boarding.
—Laurie Werner, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
The teen was saved early on Thursday, Oct. 17, after getting separated from his high school paddling team the evening prior when his kayak capsized a half mile south of Honolulu's Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kayak
Articles Related to kayak
Dictionary Entries Near kayak
Cite this Entry
“Kayak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kayak. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share