dry dock

¹

noun

1. a structure able to contain a ship and to be drained or lifted so as to leave the ship free of water with all parts of the hull accessible for repairs, painting, etc.

dry-dock

²

[ drahy-dok ]

verb (used with object)

1. to place (a ship) in a dry dock.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a ship) to go into a dry dock.

dry dock

noun

1. a basin-like structure that is large enough to admit a ship and that can be pumped dry for work on the ship's bottom

verb

1. to put (a ship) into a dry dock, or (of a ship) to go into a dry dock

Word History and Origins

Origin of dry dock¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Origin of dry dock²

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

That has not stopped US officials from expressing their concern over the expansion of the site, though, which satellite photographs show has, in addition to the new pier, a new dry dock, warehouses, and what look like administrative offices and living quarters with four basketball courts.

From BBC

Uranga said the next step is to lift the boat, which sank after the fire, and tow it to dry dock where a more thorough investigation can be undertaken.

From Los Angeles Times

It left its berth in Camden, New Jersey, en route to Philadelphia, where it was guided into dry dock to undergo two months of repairs that can only be completed out of water.

From Seattle Times

Survivors who suffered "catastrophic" injuries when a ship in dry dock collapsed in Edinburgh say they are still waiting for answers a year on.

From BBC

The restoration efforts were spurred by an incident in 2016, in which a 528-foot dry dock, a structure used to contain a ship for it to be drained, was being towed from Washington state to Mexico in order to be recycled, according to Karen Grimmer, Resource Protection Coordinator at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

From Los Angeles Times