Dock Meaning
Dock Definition & Usage
A structure built on the shore of a body of water, typically for mooring boats or ships.
Examples
- "The ship was safely docked at the harbor, waiting for the crew to disembark."
- "We walked along the dock, admiring the view of the boats."
- "The fishermen tied their boats to the dock before going home for the day."
- "A large cruise ship pulled into the dock early this morning."
- "The storm caused damage to the old wooden dock."
To bring a boat or ship into a dock or to attach it securely to a dock.
Examples
- "We docked the boat after a long day on the water."
- "The ship will dock at port tomorrow morning."
- "He helped dock the yacht before they went ashore."
- "The captain instructed the crew to dock the vessel carefully due to the strong winds."
- "It took us longer than expected to dock the cruise ship in the crowded harbor."
To deduct or reduce an amount, typically as a penalty or fine.
Examples
- "They docked my paycheck for arriving late to work."
- "The company decided to dock her salary for the errors in her report."
- "His score was docked due to a technical violation."
- "The team members had their bonuses docked for missing deadlines."
- "She had points docked from her total for not following the rules."
Cultural Context
The term 'dock' has maritime origins and is still widely used in the context of ports, harbors, and the shipping industry. It also finds metaphorical use in a variety of professional settings, particularly when referring to reductions in pay or penalties.
The Docking Dilemma
Story
The Docking Dilemma
The sun was setting over the bustling port of Westwater, casting long shadows over the dock as sailors scrambled to secure their vessels. Among them was Captain Nadia, who had spent most of her life docking ships at this very harbor. This evening, however, things were different. The ship she'd been tasked with docking had been damaged during a storm, and the dock was crowded with other ships needing immediate attention. Nadia stood at the helm, glancing nervously at the narrow space between two large cargo vessels. She turned to her first mate, Ryan. 'We have to dock the ship with precision,' she said, her voice calm but firm. 'The winds are strong, and we can’t afford any mistakes.' Ryan nodded, gripping the ropes tightly. As they approached the dock, Nadia adjusted the ship's speed, careful not to let the current push them off course. With one final maneuver, the ship was gently docked, its hull scraping softly against the wooden planks. After the ship was secured, Nadia walked down the dock, reflecting on how different the situation had felt. She thought about how, earlier that day, she'd received a message from her office about docking her pay due to an oversight in her paperwork. As she looked over the row of ships, she couldn't help but think how ironic it was that she was so good at docking ships, but somehow struggled with the smaller tasks in her own life. In the distance, she saw a colleague, Peter, unloading cargo. 'How’s the docking going?' he called out to her, clearly unaware of the pay docking she'd received. Nadia smiled, knowing that no one truly understood the full weight of the word 'dock' until they experienced it in all its forms.
Related Words
