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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

On other Labor fronts: At Federal Shipbuilding and Dry dock Co.'s vast yards in Kearny, N.J., labor and management came to an impasse over a matter of policy.

From Time Magazine Archive

Lines Co.; the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry dock Co. made it come true.

From Time Magazine Archive

Fun in paradise Mango, Katika, Bintang and Navistar are all OK - Dry dock on eastern side didn't get full brunt of water.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dry dock her and give her a thorough overhaul.

From The Firm of Girdlestone by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

Dry dock stems, fallen branches, the very shadows, are not black, but brown.

From Nature Near London by Jefferies, Richard