deck
Nautical.
a floorlike surface wholly or partially occupying one level of a hull, superstructure, or deckhouse, generally cambered, and often serving as a member for strengthening the structure of a vessel.
the space between such a surface and the next such surface above: Our stateroom was on B deck.
any open platform suggesting an exposed deck of a ship.
an open, unroofed porch or platform extending from a house or other building.: Compare sun deck.
any level, tier, or vertical section, as of a structure or machine.
a flat or nearly flat watertight surface, as at the top of a French roof.
a floor or roof surface composed of decking units.
Meteorology. cloud deck. See cloud layer.
Slang. a small packet of a narcotic, especially heroin.
a pack of playing cards.
Printing. bank3 (def. 8).
Also called rear deck. the cover of a space behind the backseat of an automobile or the space itself.
Library Science. a level of book shelving and associated facilities in the stacks of a library, as one of a series of floors or tiers.
a cassette deck or tape deck.
Civil Engineering. (of a bridge truss) having a deck or floor upon or above the structure.: Compare through (def. 22).
to clothe or attire (people) or array (rooms, houses, etc.) in something ornamental or decorative (often followed by out): We were all decked out in our Sunday best. The church was decked with holly for the holiday season.
to furnish with a deck.
Informal. to knock down; floor: The champion decked the challenger in the first round.
Idioms about deck
clear the decks,
to prepare for combat, as by removing all unnecessary gear.
to prepare for some activity or work, as by getting rid of hindrances.
hit the deck, Slang.
Nautical. to rise from bed.
to fall, drop, or be knocked to the ground or floor.
on deck,
Baseball. next at bat; waiting one's turn to bat.
Informal. next in line; coming up; scheduled.
Informal. prepared to act or work; ready.
play with / have a full deck, Slang. to be sane, rational, or reasonably intelligent: Whoever dreamed up this scheme wasn't playing with a full deck.
stack the deck. stack (def. 25).
Origin of deck
1Other words for deck
Other words from deck
- un·decked, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use deck in a sentence
There are eight decks, linked by four elevators, and 14 viewing platforms.
The World's Most Beautiful Boat—Yours for Half a Billion Dollars | Tim Teeman | October 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe fore and aft have beautiful decks carved into them, and windows from various rooms too: it looks like a floating Apple device.
The World's Most Beautiful Boat—Yours for Half a Billion Dollars | Tim Teeman | October 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThere is none of the jutting out of decks and balconies, and feeling of exterior bulk that is so familiar to mega-yachts.
The World's Most Beautiful Boat—Yours for Half a Billion Dollars | Tim Teeman | October 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor example, it takes three and a half hours to get into building decks [the central gameplay hook].
He was clearing the decks for the president who had defeated Hillary in the 2008 primaries.
Boat after boat came up and made fast astern of the dandy vessel, and soon the decks were crowded with merry groups.
The Chequers | James RuncimanThe ship for the first time had abandoned its policy of darkness and the decks were bathed in light.
The Amazing Interlude | Mary Roberts RinehartThe sails of the Drake were cut to pieces, her decks were red with blood, and at last her captain fell dead.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes | VariousGreat masses of spray came flying over the bulwarks, sweeping the decks.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes | VariousIn the woods around were splendid trees, white and black oak and chestnut, for planking, and pine for the decks.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes | Various
British Dictionary definitions for deck
/ (dɛk) /
nautical any of various platforms built into a vessel: a promenade deck; the poop deck
a similar floor or platform, as in a bus
the horizontal platform that supports the turntable and pick-up of a record player
See tape deck
mainly US a pack of playing cards
Also called: pack computing obsolete a collection of punched cards relevant to a particular program
a raised wooden platform built in a garden to provide a seating area
clear the decks informal to prepare for action, as by removing obstacles from a field of activity or combat
hit the deck informal
to fall to the floor or ground, esp in order to avoid injury
to prepare for action
to get out of bed
(often foll by out) to dress or decorate
to build a deck on (a vessel)
slang to knock (a person) to the floor or ground
Origin of deck
1- See also deck over
Derived forms of deck
- decker, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with deck
In addition to the idiom beginning with deck
- deck out
also see:
- clear the decks
- hit the deck
- on deck
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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