Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of dry dock that can be submerged to allow a vessel to enter, and then raised to lift the vessel out of the water for maintenance or repair. A floating dock is a buoyant, U-shaped structure that is sunk by filling ballast tanks with water. Once a ship is positioned inside, the water is pumped out, causing the dock to rise and lift the ship clear of the water.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The damaged ship was towed into the floating dock for repairs.
  • The naval base has a large floating dock capable of servicing aircraft carriers.

Advanced Usage

• As a facility or asset: The term can refer to the physical structure itself or the service it provides.
  • The company invested in a new floating dock to expand its shipyard capabilities.

Variants and Related Words

• Floating dry dock: A full, alternative name for the same structure.
• Dry dock: A general term for a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a ship to float in, then drained to allow the ship to rest on dry support blocks. A floating dock is one type of dry dock.
• Graving dock: Another type of dry dock that is a fixed, permanent structure built into the ground, as opposed to a floating one.

Synonyms

• Pontoon dock: A synonym emphasizing the buoyant pontoons that provide flotation.
• Lift dock: A synonym emphasizing the lifting function.

Related Phrases

• To dock in a floating dock: The action of placing a vessel into the structure.
  • The cruise liner will dock in the floating dock for its annual inspection.
• To raise/lower the floating dock: Describing the operation of the structure.
  • The engineers began to lower the floating dock to receive the incoming vessel.

Noun

1. dry dock that can be submerged under a vessel and then raised