: 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
Some river locations have boat launches where participants are encouraged to bring their kayaks, paddle boards, canoes or motor boats (where appropriate) to access hard-to-reach coastlines.
—Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 July 2025
On July 26, the 29-year-old man, later identified as Luis Cornejo-Paz of Concord, had been swimming about 40 feet from shore at Lake Shasta and was helping tow two people on an inflatable kayak, according to a Facebook post by Shasta County deputies.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025
The kayak tour, ideal for beginners as well as experienced paddlers, takes about one hour to complete and goes three miles down the Cumberland River, finishing in the heart of Downtown Nashville.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
And bring your canoe, kayak or paddleboard to the Ohio River Paddlefest for some water fun, including a Finish Line Festival to celebrate the participants.
—Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 July 2025
On July 26, the 29-year-old man, later identified as Luis Cornejo-Paz of Concord, had been swimming about 40 feet from shore at Lake Shasta and was helping tow two people on an inflatable kayak, according to a Facebook post by Shasta County deputies.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2025
The kayak tour, ideal for beginners as well as experienced paddlers, takes about one hour to complete and goes three miles down the Cumberland River, finishing in the heart of Downtown Nashville.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
And bring your canoe, kayak or paddleboard to the Ohio River Paddlefest for some water fun, including a Finish Line Festival to celebrate the participants.
—Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 25 July 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 6 Aug. 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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