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• dry dock
  dry dock

  noun

  a structure able to contain a ship and to be drained or lifted so as to leave the ship free of water with all parts of the hull accessible for repairs, painting, etc.
• dry-dock
  dry-dock

  verb (used with object)

  to place (a ship) in a dry dock.

dry dock

¹ American  

noun

1. a structure able to contain a ship and to be drained or lifted so as to leave the ship free of water with all parts of the hull accessible for repairs, painting, etc.

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dry-dock ² American  

[drahy-dok] / ˈdraɪˌdɒk /

verb (used with object)

1. to place (a ship) in a dry dock.

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verb (used without object)

1. (of a ship) to go into a dry dock.

dry dock British  

noun

1. a basin-like structure that is large enough to admit a ship and that can be pumped dry for work on the ship's bottom

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verb

1. to put (a ship) into a dry dock, or (of a ship) to go into a dry dock

Etymology

Origin of dry dock¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Origin of dry-dock²

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Reeves also confirmed £20m of investment for Inchgreen dry dock in Inverclyde, and a further £20m for the redevelopment of Kirkcaldy town centre and seafront, which is to begin next year.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

A surprise announcement was £20m to "renew infrastructure" at Inchgreen - a huge dry dock in Greenock which has been barely used for more than a decade.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

Growth should be driven by its new dry dock and four new vessels, including its commissioning service operation vessel in FY 2026, the analyst says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

Uranga said the next step is to lift the boat, which sank after the fire, and tow it to dry dock where a more thorough investigation can be undertaken.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2024

Then, the once-pride of the British Navy was placed on a huge barge for the short journey into the harbor and to the dry dock.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler