quay

¹ American  

[kee, key, kwey] / ki, keɪ, kweɪ /

noun

1. a landing place, especially one of solid masonry, constructed along the edge of a body of water; wharf.

   Synonyms:

   levee, landing, dock, pier

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Quay ² American  

[kwey] / kweɪ /

noun

1. Matthew Stanley, 1833–1904, U.S. politician: senator 1887–99, 1901–4.

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quay British  

/ kiː /

noun

1. a wharf, typically one built parallel to the shoreline Compare pier

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Other Word Forms

• quaylike adjective

Etymology

Origin of quay

1690–1700; spelling variant (after French quai ) of earlier kay (also key, whence the modern pronunciation) < Old French kay, cay; akin to Spanish cayo shoal. See key ²

Example Sentences

The quay was largely deserted, boats stowed for the night, except for a cluster of men on the quayside, drinking coffee from a thermos.

From Literature

Boats can dock at wharfs, quays and piers protected by the reef's natural lagoon.

From The Wall Street Journal

"If I never went for the checks, I don't think I would be here today. So it was a real godsend for them to come down to the quay."

From BBC

The terminal operator International Transportation Service plans to fill in a 19-acre area of water and extend the existing quay by 560 feet, which would allow larger ships to dock at the port.

From Los Angeles Times

Patricia Page, owner of a pest and rodent control business in the north west, said it appeared a large colony had set up home on the quay, adding it is a real "cause for concern".

From BBC