docks
|dock|
🇺🇸
/dɑk/
🇬🇧
/dɒk/
(dock)
place for ships
Etymology
'dock' originates from Middle Dutch, specifically the word 'dok', where it meant 'an enclosed basin or wharf for ships.'
'dock' changed from the Middle Dutch word 'dok' into Middle English as 'dok'/'dock', and eventually became the modern English word 'dock'.
Initially, it meant 'an enclosed area of water for ships', but over time it developed related senses such as 'a quay or wharf', and verb senses like 'to bring into a dock', 'to deduct', and 'to join (vessels)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'dock': a structure (such as a pier, wharf, or quay) where ships are loaded, unloaded, or tied up.
The docks are busy with cargo ships this morning.
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Noun 2
plural form of 'dock': an enclosed basin or area of water in a port where vessels are moored, repaired, or loaded.
Several old ships sat abandoned in the docks.
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Noun 3
plural form of 'dock': (law, chiefly British) the area(s) in a courtroom where an accused person sits or stands during trial (usually singular 'the dock', but plural when referring to multiple courtrooms or docks).
The docks in the old courthouse were separated by glass partitions.
Synonyms
Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'dock': to bring a ship or boat into a dock or alongside a quay; to moor or fasten a vessel.
Every evening the crew docks the yacht at the marina.
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Verb 2
third-person singular present of 'dock': to deduct (an amount of money, pay, or points) from someone's wages, pay, or score as a penalty.
The company docks his pay when he arrives late; this month it docks 1 day's salary.
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Verb 3
third-person singular present of 'dock': to join or connect (two vessels or spacecraft) together, often by a mechanical coupling.
The shuttle docks with the space station for resupply operations.
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Last updated: 2025/10/06 22:50