Quay: meaning, definitions and examples

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quay

[ kweɪ ]

^{Context #1}

near water

A structure built parallel to the bank of a waterway for use as a landing place for boats and ships.

Synonyms

dock, pier, wharf

Examples of usage

The fishermen gathered at the quay to unload their catch.
The cruise ship docked at the quay for the passengers to disembark.

^{Context #2}

urban

A stone or concrete structure on the edge of a dock used to load or unload cargo.

Synonyms

dock, pier, wharf

Examples of usage

The workers unloaded the cargo from the ship onto the quay.
The trucks lined up along the quay to load the goods.

Translations

Translations of the word "quay" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cais

🇮🇳 घाट

🇩🇪 Kai

🇮🇩 dermaga

🇺🇦 причал

🇵🇱 nabrzeże

🇯🇵 波止場 (はとば)

🇫🇷 quai

🇪🇸 muelle

🇹🇷 rıhtım

🇰🇷 부두

🇸🇦 رصيف الميناء

🇨🇿 nábřeží

🇸🇰 nábrežie

🇨🇳 码头 (mǎtóu)

🇸🇮 pomol

🇮🇸 bryggja

🇰🇿 айлақ

🇬🇪 ნაპირსამაგრი

🇦🇿 bərə

🇲🇽 muelle

Word origin

The word 'quay' originated from the Middle English 'key', which came from the Old French 'kai', ultimately derived from the Latin 'cāreum' meaning 'landing place'. The term has been used in English since the 14th century to refer to a structure built along the edge of a body of water for ships to dock and load or unload cargo.