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

Etymology

Origin of kayak

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

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

He improvised repairs using PVC pipes and kayak paddles to get his boat back on course.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 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

Both were wearing life jackets and were safely recovered, along with the kayak, before being returned to shore and handed to Coastguard volunteers.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

Occasionally he skimmed after the biggest cod and halibut in his kayak and he would whoop with joy when he caught one and would hold it above his head.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

On the park's website, the authority said visitors must not enter the water at any time, which includes using kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and dinghies.

From BBC ● May 26, 2026

According to the listing, the three-bedroom cottage features nearly 400 feet of private waterways, outdoor activities like kayaks and canoes and an exercise room.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026

Some occupants escaped the fire by jumping from an elevated first floor, they said, adding that some had to be rescued from the backyard with kayaks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025

He was stretched out on one of the kayaks.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Related Words

• outrigger