deck hand

noun

1. Nautical. a sailor whose duties are performed on deck.

deck hand

noun

1. a seaman assigned various duties, such as mooring and cargo handling, on the deck of a ship
2. (in Britain) a seaman over 17 years of age who has seen sea duty for at least one year
3. a helper aboard a yacht

Word History and Origins

Origin of deck hand¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

As a boy during the Depression, Mr. Donahue said he first took notice of unions after he saw his father’s wages jump when he became a union-member deck hand on the Staten Island Ferry after working as a janitor.

From Washington Post

A nine-year veteran deck hand for Washington State Ferries, she was a favorite of her colleagues for her smile and her kind demeanor.

From Seattle Times

Chuck Bundrant, 79, an epic figure in North Pacific fisheries who started his career as a deck hand on a crabber and went on to co-found Seattle-based Trident Seafoods, died Oct.

From Seattle Times

Chuck Bundrant, an epic figure in North Pacific fisheries who started his career as a deck hand on a crabber and went on to cofound Seattle-based Trident Seafoods, died Sunday at his Edmonds home.

From Seattle Times

But according to officials and lawmakers, the ship’s boatswain, identified only by his last name, Woo, was the main instigator, persuading another deck hand to join him in killing the captain, who had treated them cruelly, often beating their heads with a food tray.

From New York Times

Related Words

• boater
• cadet
• diver
• marine
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