quay

¹

[ kee, key, kwey ]

noun

1. a landing place, especially one of solid masonry, constructed along the edge of a body of water; wharf.

   Synonyms: levee, landing, dock, pier

Quay

²

[ kwey ]

noun

1. Matthew Stanley, 1833–1904, U.S. politician: senator 1887–99, 1901–4.

quay

/ kiː /

noun

1. a wharf, typically one built parallel to the shoreline Compare pier

Other Words From

• quaylike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quay¹

1690–1700; spelling variant (after French quai ) of earlier kay (also key, whence the modern pronunciation) < Old French kay, cay; akin to Spanish cayo shoal. See key ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of quay¹

C14 keye, from Old French kai, of Celtic origin; compare Cornish kē hedge, fence, Old Breton cai fence

Example Sentences

With two blasts of its horn, MV Hebridean Isles bade farewell as it left the quay at Stornoway for a final time on Sunday, bound for Glasgow before it goes to the breakers.

From BBC

New South Wales Police said detectives from the Child Abuse Squad took an 83-year-old man into custody at an apartment in Sydney's Circular Quay early on Monday morning, before searching the property.

From BBC

Amanda, from Connah's Quay, Flintshire, says the season has already started where she lives, and hearing the bangs and whistles sends seven-year-old Eddie into such a "state" he can't work, and can take hours to recover.

From BBC

Visitors to New Quay's pier in Ceredigion, mid Wales, can encounter an altogether different wildlife experience.

From BBC

Queens Quay and Upper Strand Road are closed to accommodate the parade.

From BBC