noun
Uncommon
ark
ahk
Ark (noun) means the large boat built by Noah in the Bible story, used to save his family and pairs of animals from a great flood. Example: “The children's Bible showed animals filing two by two into the ark.”
noun
1
The large boat built by Noah in the Bible story, used to save his family and pairs of animals from a great flood.
"The children's Bible showed animals filing two by two into the ark."
2
Any large, flat-bottomed boat, or (more loosely) anything that offers protection and refuge.
"The old canal boats were sometimes called arks."
"For many refugees, the shelter became an ark of safety."
3
A cabinet at the front of a synagogue that holds the Torah scrolls.
"The rabbi opened the ark to remove the Torah for the reading."
How to use ark
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBest known as Noah's boat in the Bible, but also used for the Torah cabinet in a synagogue or, loosely, anything offering shelter.
Common pairings
Noah's ark
the ark of the covenant
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Word forms
- Plural
- arks
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The children's Bible showed animals filing two by two into the _____.
Etymology
From Old English earc, from Latin arca, "chest, box," from arcere, "to enclose."
Related words
Rhymes for ark
See all rhymes for ark →Frequently asked questions
What does “ark” mean?
The word “ark” means the large boat built by Noah in the Bible story, used to save his family and pairs of animals from a great flood. In plain terms, best known as Noah's boat in the Bible, but also used for the Torah cabinet in a synagogue or, loosely, anything offering shelter.
How do you pronounce “ark”?
“Ark” is pronounced ahk (/ɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “ark” in a sentence?
Here is “ark” used in a sentence: “The children's Bible showed animals filing two by two into the ark.”
What is another word for “ark”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ark” include barge, basket, chest, coffer, hutch and refuge.
What part of speech is “ark”?
“Ark” is a noun.
Where does the word “ark” come from?
The word “ark” comes from Latin. From Old English earc, from Latin arca, "chest, box," from arcere, "to enclose.".
Is “ark” a common word?
“Ark” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ark” have?
“Ark” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the large boat built by Noah in the Bible story, used to save his family and pairs of animals from a great flood.
What is the difference between an ark and a regular ship?
An ark specifically refers to a large boat built for survival or protection, most famously Noah's ark, which carried his family and pairs of animals through a great flood. A regular ship is the general term for any large vessel used for transport, without the specific connotation of refuge from disaster.
What is a synagogue ark?
In Jewish worship, an ark is a cabinet positioned at the front of a synagogue that holds the Torah scrolls. This meaning is distinct from the Noah's ark story, though both uses of the word share the underlying idea of a container that holds and protects something sacred or precious.
Why is ark sometimes used to mean a place of refuge?
Because Noah's ark protected its passengers from the flood, the word ark has come to be used more loosely for anything that offers protection or refuge in difficult circumstances. This figurative use extends beyond boats to describe any safe haven.
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