: 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
Rent a kayak, canoe, or tube from New River Outdoor Adventures and get out on the water.
—Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
Rent a kayak or paddleboard for a couple of hours, then enjoy a casual seafood lunch.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Michael tried to swim out to the kayak to help his friends, but disappeared under the water and did not resurface.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Below, Canada geese and pintail ducks lead the kayak away from their nestlings, paddling almost effortlessly 30 yards ahead, then beating the water furiously to become airborne.
—Alann B. Steen, Outdoor Life, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kayak
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Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 31 May 2025
Rent a kayak or paddleboard for a couple of hours, then enjoy a casual seafood lunch.
—Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Michael tried to swim out to the kayak to help his friends, but disappeared under the water and did not resurface.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
Below, Canada geese and pintail ducks lead the kayak away from their nestlings, paddling almost effortlessly 30 yards ahead, then beating the water furiously to become airborne.
—Alann B. Steen, Outdoor Life, 21 May 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 5 Jun. 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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