dock
/dɒk/ (bre, ipa) · /dɑːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdäk/ (ame, mw)
dock — noun
- docksingular
- docksplural
1. an enclosed water basin in a harbour with gates that control water levels, used
an enclosed water basin in a harbour with gates that control water levels, used for loading cargo onto ships or making repairs
The ship spent three days in the dock for repairs after the storm.
in the dock — inside the enclosed port area
Cargo containers were stacked along the edge of the dock, waiting for the morning crane.
Haruto watched from the bridge as workers guided the vessel into the dock.
The old dock was rebuilt with stronger walls to handle larger ships.
文法句型
the dock
in dock
into dock
用法筆記
Countable noun; frequently used with 'in' or 'into'. The expression 'in dock' can also be used informally for a vehicle being repaired.
常見錯誤
2. a port district containing several docks, along with warehouses, repair sheds, a
a port district containing several docks, along with warehouses, repair sheds, and other working buildings
The entire dock was closed for six months after a fire destroyed three warehouses.
Camille toured the historic dock where tea ships once unloaded their cargo.
historic dock — old dockyard area
New security gates were installed at the entrance to the dock area last winter.
The dock employs more than two thousand people in its shipyards and storage buildings.
文法句型
the docks
the dock area
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'the docks' to refer to the whole port district. In British English, 'dock' (singular) with 'the' can also refer to the entire dockyard complex.
3. a long landing platform stretching into the water where boats are secured and tr
a long landing platform stretching into the water where boats are secured and travellers step ashore or board
Passengers walked along the wooden dock to board the ferry to the island.
along the dock — walking on the pier
Zuri tied her small boat to the dock and climbed onto the planks.
tied her boat to the dock — mooring at a pier
The fishing boats return to the dock each evening before sunset.
A wooden sign at the end of the dock warned swimmers about strong currents nearby.
文法句型
at the dock
to the dock
from the dock
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: 'at the dock' means beside the pier/landing structure; 'in the dock' means inside the enclosed water basin. Confusing these is a common learner error.
常見錯誤
4. the seating area in a courtroom for someone on trial, separated by a barrier fro
the seating area in a courtroom for someone on trial, separated by a barrier from the rest of the court
The defendant sat quietly in the dock throughout the three-hour hearing.
in the dock — the accused's position in court
When the judge entered, everyone in the courtroom rose, including the man in the dock.
The lawyer approached the dock to speak quietly with her client before the verdict.
From the dock, the accused watched the jury study his face during the trial.
文法句型
in the dock
the dock
用法筆記
Used mainly in British and Commonwealth legal systems. In the US, the defendant usually sits at a table with their lawyer, and 'the dock' is less common. Always used with 'the'.
常見錯誤
5. a widespread weed in the Rumex family, with large oval leaves and a deep root sy
a widespread weed in the Rumex family, with large oval leaves and a deep root system, common in fields and waste ground
Brooke noticed the dock growing wild in the corner of the garden near the fence.
Rubbing a dock leaf on a nettle sting can help soothe the pain.
dock leaf — leaf of the dock plant
The tall dock plants with their broad leaves are easy to spot in the meadow.
Farmers often pull up dock from their fields because the plant spreads quickly.
文法句型
dock leaf
dock plant
用法筆記
In British folk tradition, dock leaves are commonly rubbed on nettle stings to relieve the pain. The plant is considered a weed by gardeners.
6. a device or stand into which a smartphone, laptop, or other electronic device is
a device or stand into which a smartphone, laptop, or other electronic device is placed to charge its battery or connect it to other equipment such as speakers or a monitor
Lakshmi plugged her phone into the dock on her desk to charge it overnight.
plugged her phone into the dock — connecting to charge
The laptop dock connects to a larger screen, a keyboard, and a printer.
the laptop dock connects to — linking peripherals
Haruto bought a dock for his tablet to connect it to the office speakers.
Each desk in the office has a dock for connecting a laptop to the network.
- docking station
the full formal term, more commonly used for laptops
- charging stand
emphasises the charging function, typically simpler
文法句型
a dock for [device]
dock with [device]
用法筆記
Often shortened to just 'dock' in spoken and informal technology contexts. The full term 'docking station' is more formal. Not used for simple cables — a dock provides physical support and multiple connections.
常見錯誤
7. a raised platform at a warehouse, factory, or station where goods are loaded ont
a raised platform at a warehouse, factory, or station where goods are loaded onto or unloaded from trucks, vans, or trains
The truck backed up to the loading dock and workers began unloading the boxes.
loading dock — raised platform for vehicles
Crates were stacked on the dock, ready to be loaded onto the delivery van.
The warehouse has a raised dock that matches the height of the truck beds.
Mira signed for the shipment at the loading dock and sent the driver to storage.
- loading bay
a similar concept, often a recessed area rather than a raised platform
- loading platform
synonymous, emphasises the flat raised surface
文法句型
loading dock
at the dock
the dock
用法筆記
Common in logistics, warehousing, and retail contexts. Often used with 'loading' to form 'loading dock'. This sense is land-based and has nothing to do with water or ships.
常見錯誤
dock — verb
- dockpresent simple I / you / we / they
- docks3rd person singular
- docking-ing form
- dockedpast simple
1. to cut off or reduce a part of something, especially to take money from someone'
to cut off or reduce a part of something, especially to take money from someone's pay as a punishment or to shorten an animal's tail or ears
The company docked ten dollars from Roya's pay for the damaged equipment.
docked [amount] from [someone's] pay
The farmer docked the lamb's tail when it was only a few days old.
docked [animal's] tail — shortening by cutting
The boss docked his wages after he arrived late three times in one week.
Lien had a portion of her salary docked because she missed the training session.
文法句型
dock + something
be docked for something
dock from something
用法筆記
When used for wages, the amount docked is usually a fixed penalty, not a proportional deduction. For animals, 'docking' often refers specifically to tail shortening done for hygiene or breed-standard reasons.
常見錯誤
2. to bring a ship or boat to rest beside a landing area in a port, either arriving
to bring a ship or boat to rest beside a landing area in a port, either arriving on its own or being guided there by a captain
The cargo ship docked at the port shortly after sunrise on Tuesday.
docked at [port] — intransitive, ship as subject
The captain carefully docked the ferry in the narrow space between two other boats.
docked [ferry] — transitive, captain as subject
Our cruise ship docked at five different cities during the two-week trip.
The fishing boats dock early so the catch can be sold fresh.
Yael watched the container ship dock from her apartment window across the harbour.
文法句型
dock at [port]
dock in [harbour]
dock [ship]
用法筆記
Can be used intransitively (the ship docks) or transitively (the captain docks the ship). The transitive use also extends to spacecraft joining in space ('the capsule docked with the space station').