deck

The word “deck” means a floor-like structure on a ship or the outdoor platform attached to a house. In plain terms, a flat platform (on a ship, house, or bus), a pack of cards, or — as a verb — to decorate something or to punch someone down.

“Deck” is pronounced DEHK (/ˈdɛk/ in IPA).

Here is “deck” used in a sentence: “We relaxed on the deck watching the sunset.”

Depending on how it is used, “deck” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “deck” comes from Dutch. From Middle Dutch dec, "roof, covering," related to Dutch decken, "to cover" — the same root gives us "thatch.".

“Deck” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Deck” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a floor-like structure on a ship or the outdoor platform attached to a house.

A deck is a raised, floor-like platform, usually built from wood or composite boards and often elevated on posts. A patio sits directly on the ground and is typically paved with stone, brick, or concrete. Decks suit sloped or uneven yards; patios suit flat ground and tend to cost less.

A porch is attached to the front or entrance of a house and is usually roofed, sometimes screened or enclosed. A deck is generally uncovered, open to the sky, and attached at the back or side for outdoor living. Porches shelter the doorway; decks extend the living space outdoors.

A ship's decks are named by position and use. The main deck is the principal full-length deck; the upper deck sits above it, and lower decks lie below. The weather deck is exposed to the open air, while the poop deck is a raised deck at the stern.

Outdoor house decks are most often built from pressure-treated softwood, naturally durable woods like cedar or redwood, or wood-plastic composite boards. Composite and PVC decking resist rot and need little upkeep but cost more upfront. Traditional timber is cheaper and looks natural, yet it requires regular sealing and staining.