davit

American  

[dav-it, dey-vit] / ˈdæv ɪt, ˈdeɪ vɪt /

noun

1. any of various cranelike devices used singly or in pairs for supporting, raising, and lowering especially boats, anchors, and cargo over a hatchway or side of a ship.

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davit British  

/ ˈdævɪt, ˈdeɪ- /

noun

1. a cranelike device, usually one of a pair, fitted with a tackle for suspending or lowering equipment, esp a lifeboat

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Etymology

Origin of davit

1325–75; Middle English daviot < Anglo-French, apparently diminutive of Davi David

Explanation

When a large ship has a small, onboard crane that lowers lifeboats into the water, that crane is called a davit. Oil rigs and cruise ships are examples of vessels that have permanent, fixed davits. One of the less well-known facts about the Titanic disaster is that its crew wasn't properly trained on how to operate the davits. The lifeboats were boarded and lowered so slowly that the crew wasn't able to use every available lifeboat in time. Modern ships installed with davits make it easy to get passengers into these boats and get them into the water. Davit comes from David and a tradition of referring to objects with a person's name.

Example Sentences

La Rochelle jumped into a sixth-minute lead with a try by Davit Niniashvili.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

Underhill was shown a yellow card for the head-on-head collision with Lyon full-back Davit Niniashvili in the 26th minute.

From BBC • May 28, 2025

Two of them, true freshmen Davit Boyajyan and Justin Hylkema, won’t be on campus until the fall.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2024

The turning point came after nearly an hour when Georgia fullback Davit Niniashvili broke through but ignored three teammates on his inside and took the tackle.

From Washington Times • Sep. 9, 2023

She was gone, however, but only, as it were, to let a window open, from which came the cry, "Davit, have you seen my man?"

From Sentimental Tommy The Story of His Boyhood by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)