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Glite Dictionary
docking

docking

81 3.7
Tying a ship to the side of a pier with ropes
  • noun
  • /ˈdɑkɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : atraque
  • After hours at sea, the crew was relieved to finally complete the docking process at the harbor.

Examples

  • During the docking maneuver, the ship was gently secured to the dock to prevent any damage.

  • We paid the docking fees all winter.

    Limbo (1999)

  • There was plenty of room for the boat's docking, and already a crowd was gathering on the pier.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Ranrel's recent labors to improve docking facilities were being put to the test.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Your view of the harbor and incoming ferry is blocked by the docking enclosure.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The fighters checked in, and the first shuttle began its docking maneuver with the Redemption.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • NASA is developing technologies to improve the reliability of automated rendezvous and docking systems for in-space vehicles.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The MIR is T-shaped, with twin docking ports at each end of the T's crossbar.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • The captain ensured safe docking of the boat at the marina by tying it securely to the pier.

Synonyms

tying up
vsdocking
5 3.7

To fasten a boat to a dock with ropes

is the neutral term for the same fastening rather than a more informal expression
dockage
vsdocking
  • Specialized
7.9

To secure a ship at a dock with ropes

is the general act of fastening a vessel to the shore rather than only on arrival
moorage
vsdocking
  • Specialized
8.0

To tie a boat to a dock or a buoy with ropes

is the same act but stresses attachment to the shore place rather than timing

Compounds

docking facility
1 3.7

A place in a harbour where ships stop to be loaded, unloaded, or repaired

docking fee
1 3.8

A charge paid to use a dock for a boat

How Secure

to anchor
51 3.4
docking
  • Specialized
81 3.7
moorage
  • Specialized
8.0
tying up
5 3.7

Surface Forms

docking singular
dockings plural

Morphology

docking = dock (transparent) = dock + ing

The noun is a regular deverbal formation from the verb 'dock' plus '-ing', so its meaning is straightforwardly recoverable from the base verb.

Etymology

Docking comes from dock, the place where ships stop and are kept. A helpful way to remember it is to think of docking as 'parking' a ship and 'tying' it with ropes so the boat stays safe, which is why docking means securing a boat to a dock.