kayak

American  

[kahy-ak] / ˈkaɪ æk /

Also kaiak,

noun

1. a traditional Inuit or Yupik canoe with a skin cover on a light framework, made watertight by flexible closure around the waist of the occupant and propelled with a double-bladed paddle.

2. a small boat resembling this, made commercially of a variety of materials and used in sports.

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verb (used without object)

1. to go or travel by kayak.

verb (used with object)

1. to travel on by kayak.

   to kayak the Colorado River.

kayak British  

/ ˈkaɪæk /

noun

1. a small light canoe-like boat used by the Inuit, consisting of a light frame covered with watertight animal skins

2. a fibreglass or canvas-covered canoe of similar design

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Other Word Forms

• kayaker noun

Etymology

Origin of kayak

First recorded in 1750–60, kayak is from the Inuit word qayaq

Example Sentences

In 2002, a former math and science teacher and prison guard named John Darwin paddled a kayak into the North Sea from his home in Seaton Carew, England, and disappeared.

From Los Angeles Times

I was eager to get on a kayak, but learned that the state park no longer loaned them out.

From The Wall Street Journal

Austin took the kayak, but no one realised it had been badly damaged and was already taking on water.

From BBC

He had gone out kayaking and paddle-boarding on the water Friday afternoon with his family.

From Barron's

“No. Or at least the articles I read about it said they never did. Only her kayak paddle, but never her. I—I’ve actually never talked to Babs about it.”

From Literature

Related Words

• outrigger