Definition

1. Noun:

   • A short or shortened tail of certain animals: The solid bony part of an animal's tail, as distinguished from the hair.
   • A landing place in a harbor: A structure next to a pier where ships are loaded, unloaded, or repaired; it may have gates to control water flow.
   • A platform for loading/unloading: A platform where trucks or trains can be loaded or unloaded.
   • A platform extending into water: A structure built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles, providing access to ships and boats.
   • A type of coarse weedy plant: Any of certain plants with long taproots, sometimes used as greens or in folk medicine.
   • An enclosure in a court of law: The place where the defendant sits during a trial.

2. Verb:

   • To maneuver a ship into a dock: To bring a ship into a dock or landing place.
   • To remove or shorten the tail of an animal: To cut off the end of an animal's tail.
   • To deduct from someone's wages: To take a portion of money from someone's pay.
   • To deprive someone of benefits as a penalty: To take away privileges or advantages as a form of punishment.
   • To come into dock: For a ship to arrive and moor at a dock.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The veterinarian examined the horse's dock. (Referring to the tail's bony part.)
  • The cargo ship is moored at the dock for repairs. (Referring to the harbor structure.)
  • The truck backed up to the loading dock. (Referring to the platform for vehicles.)
  • We walked out on the dock to watch the sunset. (Referring to the platform over water.)
  • The field was overgrown with dock. (Referring to the weed.)
  • The accused stood nervously in the dock. (Referring to the court enclosure.)

• Verb:

  • The captain skillfully docked the large vessel. (Bringing a ship into a dock.)
  • It is common practice to dock the tails of some dog breeds. (Shortening an animal's tail.)
  • The company will dock your pay for unauthorized absences. (Deducting from wages.)
  • The judge ruled to dock the prisoner's visitation rights. (Depriving of benefits.)
  • The ferry is scheduled to dock at 6 PM. (A ship arriving at a dock.)

Advanced Usage

• "In the dock": On trial or in a position of being judged or criticized.

  • The controversial policy has put the government in the dock. (The government is facing criticism.)

• "Dry dock": A dock from which water can be pumped out, used for building or repairing ships.

  • The ship was taken to a dry dock for its annual overhaul.

Variants and Related Words

• Docker (noun): A person who works loading and unloading ships at a dock; a longshoreman.
• Dockage (noun): A charge for using a dock; or the act of docking a vessel.
• Dockyard (noun): An area with docks and equipment for building and repairing ships.
• Docking (noun/gerund): The action of bringing a ship into a dock; or the act of cutting an animal's tail.

Synonyms

• Noun (for harbor structure): Wharf, pier, quay, jetty, berth.
• Verb (for deducting wages): Deduct, subtract, withhold.
• Verb (for shortening a tail): Crop, cut off, bob.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Dock at: To arrive and moor at a specific dock or port.

  • The cruise ship will dock at Southampton tomorrow.

• Dock from: To deduct an amount from something, typically wages.

  • They docked $50 from his paycheck for the broken tool.

Related Idioms

• To be in dry dock: To be out of service, unemployed, or inactive (originating from a ship being repaired).

  • Ever since the project ended, he's been in dry dock.

• To dock someone's pay: A common phrase meaning to make a deduction from someone's salary.

  • If you're late again, they'll dock your pay.

Noun

1. a short or shortened tail of certain animals
2. the solid bony part of the tail of an animal as distinguished from the hair
3. landing in a harbor next to a pier where ships are loaded and unloaded or repaired; may have gates to let water in or out
   • the ship arrived at the dock more than a day late
4. a platform where trucks or trains can be loaded or unloaded
5. a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
6. any of certain coarse weedy plants with long taproots, sometimes used as table greens or in folk medicine
7. an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial

Verb

1. maneuver into a dock
   • dock the ships
2. remove or shorten the tail of an animal
3. deduct from someone's wages
4. deprive someone of benefits, as a penalty
5. come into dock
   • the ship docked