- a basin-like structure that is large enough to admit a ship and that can be pumped dry for work on the ship's bottom
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ˈdry ˌdock, n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Nautical, Naval Termsa structure that can contain a ship, so that workers can repair all parts of the hull: [countable]several dry docks on the eastern coast.[uncountable;
in + ~]The ship is in dry dock.
dry′ dock′,
dry-dock (drī′dok′),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
- Nautical, Naval Termsa structure able to contain a ship and to be drained or lifted so as to leave the ship free of water with all parts of the hull accessible for repairs, painting, etc. Cf. floating dock, graving dock.
- 1620–30
dry-dock (drī′dok′),USA pronunciation v.t.
- Nautical, Naval Termsto place (a ship) in a dry dock.
v.i.
- Nautical, Naval Terms(of a ship) to go into a dry dock.
- 1880–85
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
dry dock n
'dry dock' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
altar
- caisson
- dock
- graving dock
- poppet
- shore
- DD
- docking keel
- dry-dockage
- floating dock