graving dock

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. an excavated shore dry dock for the repair and maintenance of ships.

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graving dock British  

noun

1. another term for dry dock

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Etymology

Origin of graving dock

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

It begins at night, with the boat being towed in under spotlights to a “graving dock,” from which water is then pumped out.

From Seattle Times

Through that window he could watch his Western Star graving in the graving dock.

From Literature

New ships - including the Malaspina and other mainline Alaska ferries - were first built in a graving dock, a pit dug in the earth with doors at one end that opened to the ocean.

From Washington Times

The graving docks occupy the dug-out site of the former New Mole Parade.

From Project Gutenberg

The largest ships can enter the harbour, which has a minimum depth of 30 ft.; it has two dry docks, a graving dock and a floating dry dock.

From Project Gutenberg