: 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
Groups of neon green kayaks hang near the riverbanks.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Activities include downriver races and noncompetitive events for canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Hike along shady trails, rent a kayak or canoe or enjoy a picnic under rustic pavilions built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
—Jesse Scott, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
More than 20 vouchers can be exchanged for such rewards as $1,000 in cash, two nights at the Sonoma Mission Inn and Fairmont San Francisco luxury hotels, an e-bike, San Francisco Giants tickets, an inflatable kayak, $100 gift cards, and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at an A’s game.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
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.
Michael Loria, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025
Activities include downriver races and noncompetitive events for canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
—Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Hike along shady trails, rent a kayak or canoe or enjoy a picnic under rustic pavilions built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
—Jesse Scott, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
More than 20 vouchers can be exchanged for such rewards as $1,000 in cash, two nights at the Sonoma Mission Inn and Fairmont San Francisco luxury hotels, an e-bike, San Francisco Giants tickets, an inflatable kayak, $100 gift cards, and the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at an A’s game.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
Cite this Entry
“Kayak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kayak. Accessed 21 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share