galley

[ gal-ee ]

noun

, plural gal·leys.

1. a kitchen or an area with kitchen facilities in a ship, plane, or camper.
2. Nautical.
   1. a seagoing vessel propelled mainly by oars, used in ancient and medieval times, sometimes with the aid of sails.
   2. a long rowboat, as one used as a ship's boat by a warship or one used for dragging a seine.
   3. (formerly, in the U.S. Navy) a shoal-draft vessel, variously rigged, relying mainly on its sails but able to be rowed by sweeps.
3. Printing.
   1. a long, narrow tray, usually of metal, for holding type that has been set.
   2. galley proof.
   3. a rough unit of measurement, about 22 inches (56 centimeters), for type composition.

galley

/ ˈɡælɪ /

noun

1. any of various kinds of ship propelled by oars or sails used in ancient or medieval times as a warship or as a trader
2. the kitchen of a ship, boat, or aircraft
3. any of various long rowing boats
4. printing
   1. (in hot-metal composition) a tray open at one end for holding composed type
   2. short for galley proof

Other Words From

• galley·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of galley¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English galei(e), from Old French galee, galie, perhaps from Old Provençal galea, from Late Greek galéa, galaía

Word History and Origins

Origin of galley¹

C13: from Old French galie, from Medieval Latin galea, from Greek galaia, of unknown origin; the sense development apparently is due to the association of a galley or slave ship with a ship's kitchen and hence with a hot furnace, trough, printer's tray, etc

Example Sentences

"Masks came down, I saw the galley curtain get sucked towards the cabin."

From BBC

Whether the galley was the victim of a sudden storm, a wayward wind or attempted piracy is unclear.

From New York Times

We were this close to the doors of the kitchen—the galley—when they banged open.

From Literature

Craig Wallace, chief of operations, poked his head into the galley.

From Los Angeles Times

Rave to the fascinating historical photos and Indigenous art in the cabins, the jigsaw puzzles on most tables and the reopened galley kitchens.

From Seattle Times