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 1,100-square-foot space had good light, cabinets on both sides of the galley kitchen, and a bedroom big enough for a bed, nightstands, and a desk. —Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 19 Mar. 2025

Photo : Gabriel Zimmer/Catskill Image The up-to-date galley kitchen. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025

Poltrona Frau stools add refinement to the galley, which also serves a dual purpose as an owner and guest area – the owners love to cook. Ceilings, Paszkowski points out, also feature prominently in the design. —Bill Springer, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Stockman Products The biggest generational changes come out back in the galley, which still relies on the full-height hatch to provide plenty of shade and weather coverage overhead. —New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for galley

• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally
• rally
• salley

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