noun

drydock

DRY-dok

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Drydock (noun) means a dock that can be emptied of its water, allowing a ship inside it to be built or worked on. Example: “The ship was moved into a drydock for a full hull inspection.”

noun

nautical A dock that can be emptied of its water, allowing a ship inside it to be built or worked on.

"The ship was moved into a drydock for a full hull inspection."

"The naval base has three large drydocks for shipbuilding."

"Engineers repaired the hull while the vessel sat in the drydock."

verb

nautical To place a ship in a drydock.

"The company will drydock the ferry for its annual maintenance."

"The tanker was drydocked after striking a reef."

"They plan to drydock the yacht next month for repainting."

How to use drydock

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA drydock is a dock that can be emptied of water so people can work on a ship, and to drydock a ship means to put it in one.

When to use it

Drydock is a technical, nautical term used mainly by shipping and naval professionals.

Memory tip

You may see this word written as one word, two words, or hyphenated; all forms mean the same thing.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

put a ship in drydock drydock repairs naval drydock drydock a vessel

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “drydock” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The ship was moved into a _____ for a full hull inspection.

Etymology

Drydock is a straightforward compound, formed simply by joining dry and dock.

Origin: English

Frequently asked questions

What is a drydock used for?

A drydock is drained of water so workers can repair or build a ship's hull without it being in the sea.

What does it mean to drydock a ship?

To drydock a ship means to move it into a drydock, usually for repair, inspection or construction work.

Can drydock be spelled as two words?

Yes, it can also be written as dry dock or dry-dock, all with the same meaning.

What is the meaning of drydock?

"drydock" (noun) means a dock that can be emptied of its water, allowing a ship inside it to be built or worked on.