floating dock

American  

noun

1. a submersible, floating structure used as a dry dock, having a floor that is submerged, slipped under a floating vessel, and then raised so as to raise the vessel entirely out of the water.

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floating dock British  

noun

1. Also called: floating dry dock.  a large boxlike structure that can be submerged to allow a vessel to enter it and then floated to raise the vessel out of the water for maintenance or repair

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Etymology

Origin of floating dock

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Australian officials have signaled that a “contingency” dry-docking capability—such as a floating dock that can handle big unexpected repairs, though not the most extensive level of maintenance—will need to be ready by the early 2030s.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026

Other luxe amenities include a floating dock and boat ramp, two outdoor pools, and a helipad.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 9, 2025

In a statement Tuesday, harbor officials said the incident illuminated “a new vulnerability in floating dock design: a previously underrecognized hydrodynamic failure mechanism.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025

Separately, the US is planning to build its own floating dock off the coast to boost sea deliveries.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2024

Al Ulbrickson stood on the floating dock, listening to the lake water lap at the shore, watching them go.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown