Word
dockers
Phoneticsdock·ers, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɑkɝz/
UK/dˈɒkəz/
Countable noun
Definition
n. people who load and unload ships at a port.
n. workers employed to load and unload cargo from ships in a port. Often associated with unionised labour in major seaports.
Examples
“The dockers load boxes onto the big ship.”
“The dockers start work at dawn to unload the containers before the trucks arrive.”
“When the strike began, the dockers refused to unload the cargo, leaving three freighters anchored outside the harbour for a week.”
Examples
simple
“The dockers load boxes onto the big ship.”
contextual
“The dockers start work at dawn to unload the containers before the trucks arrive.”
complex
“When the strike began, the dockers refused to unload the cargo, leaving three freighters anchored outside the harbour for a week.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dockers” in context.
Verb
01. dockers protest
“The dockers protested outside the harbour against job cuts.”
noun + verb
02. dockers strike
“The dockers struck for two weeks until the port improved their pay.”
noun + verb
03. dockers unload
“The dockers unload hundreds of containers from every large ship.”
noun + verb
04. employ dockers
“The port employs dockers to load and unload cargo ships.”
verb + noun
05. hire dockers
“The company hired dockers to unload the containers overnight.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. local dockers
“Local dockers know how to operate the heavy cranes safely.”
adj + noun
07. militant dockers
“The militant dockers refused to unload the ship until demands were met.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. group of dockers
“A group of dockers waited by the gate for the morning shift.”
noun + prep + noun
09. strike by dockers
“A strike by dockers has delayed all shipments this week.”
noun + prep + noun
10. dockers go on strike
“The dockers went on strike after talks over pay broke down.”
11. dockers walk out over pay
“The dockers walked out over pay and blocked the port entrance.”
12. employ dockers to unload ships
“The firm employs dockers to unload ships quickly and safely.”
Real-World Examples
“In 1966, 129 militant women dockers were fired by RMK-BRJ, one of the factors that led to a Saigon dock strike at the end of that year.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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