galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈga-lē 

plural galleys

1

: a ship or boat propelled solely or chiefly by oars: such as

a

: a long low ship used for war and trading especially in the Mediterranean Sea from the Middle Ages to the 19th century

also : galleass

b

: a warship of classical antiquity compare bireme, trireme

c

: a large open boat (such as a gig) formerly used in England

2

: the kitchen and cooking apparatus especially of a ship or airplane

3

a

: an oblong tray to hold especially a single column of set type

b

: a proof of typeset matter especially in a single column before being made into pages

Illustration of galley

• galley 1a

Examples of galley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The salon includes a rear galley, sizable dining area, and separate social area behind the helm. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2025

Ali Ahn never expected to be doing one of the most important auditions of her career from the galley of a sailboat. —Leigh Nordstrom, WWD, 5 Nov. 2024

While testing out new menus and chefs along itineraries may prove the norm, a capable, modern galley is located along the starboard side of the saloon should consensus dictate dining on board. —Kathleen Turner, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

The galley, in particular, is much simpler, lacking the inbuilt stove, sink and onboard water storage of the Voyager. —New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English galeie, galey, borrowed from Anglo-French galee, galeie (continental Old French galee, galie), borrowed (probably in part via Upper Italian dialects) from Middle Greek galéa, after galéa "the shark Galeorhinus galeus," probably re-formation of Greek galeós, a name for the same fish, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing galley

• galley-west

Kids Definition

galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈgal-ē 

plural galleys

1

: a large low ship of olden times moved by oars and sails

2

: the kitchen especially of a ship or airplane