kayaking

IPA/ˈkaɪækɪŋ/
KK[kˈaɪˌækɪŋ]IPA/ˈkaɪækɪŋ/

kayaking — noun

1. sitting in a narrow boat (a kayak) and moving across water by pushing a paddle o

1.nounB1
Definition

sitting in a narrow boat (a kayak) and moving across water by pushing a paddle on alternate sides, done as a leisure activity or competitive sport

Example

Jabari and his friends go kayaking on the lake every weekend during the summer.

go kayaking + on [body of water]

The tour guide showed the group how to paddle safely before the kayaking trip.

Common collocations
  • go kayaking
  • sea kayaking
  • whitewater kayaking
  • kayaking trip
  • kayaking gear
  • kayaking class
  • kayaking lessons
  • kayaking tour
  • kayaking instructor
Synonyms
  • canoeing

    similar activity but uses a canoe with a single-bladed paddle; often used interchangeably in casual speech

  • paddling

    broader term covering both kayaking and canoeing; less specific

Usage Note

Commonly follows 'go' in the phrase 'go kayaking' (e.g., go kayaking on the river). Also frequently appears as the first element of compound nouns: kayaking trip, kayaking gear, kayaking instructor.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new kayaking for the trip.
I bought a new kayak for the trip.
'kayaking' is the activity; the boat is called a 'kayak'.
We went to kayaking on the lake.
We went kayaking on the lake.
'go kayaking' does not take 'to'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Kayaking, canoeing, paddling, and rowing all describe moving a boat with oars or paddles, but they differ in equipment and technique. Kayaking uses a double-bladed paddle and a closed-deck boat (kayak), while canoeing uses a single-bladed paddle and an open boat (canoe). Paddling is the broadest term and can cover both kayaking and canoeing. Rowing is distinct: the rower faces backward and pulls oars attached to the boat. For example: 'We went kayaking on the lake' refers specifically to using kayaks, whereas 'We spent the afternoon paddling' could mean either kayaks or canoes.

kayaking ↗canoeing ↗paddling ↗rowing ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • go kayaking
  • try kayaking

Prepositions

  • on [lake/river/sea]

Etymology

InuktitutEnglish

Kayaking comes from 'kayak', a word borrowed from the Inuit (Inuktitut) language, where 'qajaq' referred to a traditional hunting boat made of animal skins stretched over a wooden or bone frame. The word entered English in the mid-1700s, and the gerund form 'kayaking' emerged in the 20th century as the activity became a recreational sport.