: 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
Three people were aboard one kayak when an incident occurred and caused all three people to fall into the water, according to a statement from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025
Paddlers can wind their way via canoe or kayak through Cane Bayou, surrounded by cypress trees, turtles, waterfowl, and other creatures.
—Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025
Felix Studios/Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island Active guests will find plenty to busy themselves with, including opportunities to fish, kayak, paddleboard, and even scuba dive.
—Jason Chau, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025
Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard and make your way through the park’s 50 miles of mangrove wilderness.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
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Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Mar. 2025
Paddlers can wind their way via canoe or kayak through Cane Bayou, surrounded by cypress trees, turtles, waterfowl, and other creatures.
—Casey Barber, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025
Felix Studios/Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island Active guests will find plenty to busy themselves with, including opportunities to fish, kayak, paddleboard, and even scuba dive.
—Jason Chau, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2025
Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard and make your way through the park’s 50 miles of mangrove wilderness.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
Articles Related to kayak
Cite this Entry
“Kayak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kayak. Accessed 25 Mar. 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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