kayak

American  

[kahy-ak] / ˈkaɪ æk /

Also kaiak,

noun

• kayaks
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• kayaker
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• kayaks
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of kayak

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

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Explanation

A kayak is a narrow one- or two-person boat that is propelled with a double-ended paddle. You can use a kayak in the ocean, on a pond or lake, or in a river. When you get in a kayak and start paddling around, you kayak (the verb). People who visit the beach often rent sea kayaks and kayak around the shore and between small islands. An even more adventurous way to kayak is in a whitewater kayak on a fast-moving river. Kayaks were first built and used by Inuits, Aleuts, and Yup'iks, and the word comes from the Inuit qayaq, "small boat of skins."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kayak kayaks

To appreciate seaside La Jolla, rent a kayak at La Jolla Shores, tiptoe through tidepools along Coast Boulevard or bathe in surfer vibes at Windansea Beach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

She enrolled in classes on kayak rescue and wilderness survival.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

Bury got into a kayak but there were no oars nearby to help him paddle, he told the station.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026

When the weather cooperates, take to the sea by paddleboard or kayak, easy to rent from Sea Nantucket.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026

He got up, then squatted beside the kayak, touching two of the holes before he looked at me.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

In warmer weather, you can rent kayaks, wave runners and paddleboards or take a seasonal cruise aboard the Lake Lawn Queen; winter brings cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice fishing and sledding.

From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026

On stretches of waterfront, people linger in boats, kayaks and pool floats.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

The Float and Fish excursion sends guests in kayaks along a clear and fast-moving section of the river, casting in pockets and eddies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Mr Cousens said the conditions will create a bigger hazard for those using boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2025

Each in our own kayaks, complete with camouflage life vests and double-ended paddles, we headed out.

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley

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