Word
Definition
n. the act of a ship or spacecraft joining with a station or another vessel. You use this when talking about travel by sea or in space.
n. the process of a vessel or spacecraft coming alongside or joining with a pier, buoy, or another craft. Often involves mechanical locking or securing procedures.
Examples
“The ship completed its docking at the harbor this morning.”
“The space station crew prepared for the docking of the supply capsule by checking the airlock seals.”
“Successful docking in high winds requires precise coordination between the pilot and the tugboat operators to prevent damage to the hull or the pier.”
Examples
simple
“The ship completed its docking at the harbor this morning.”
contextual
“The space station crew prepared for the docking of the supply capsule by checking the airlock seals.”
complex
“Successful docking in high winds requires precise coordination between the pilot and the tugboat operators to prevent damage to the hull or the pier.”
Usage
Often functions as a gerund noun; frequently paired with 'maneuver' or 'station'.
Real-World Examples
“The planned journey from launch to docking will take 7 hours and 50 minutes on Oct.” “While they didn’t stop at the moon, the four set the stage for next year’s Artemis III docking rehearsal in orbit around Earth.” Etymology
From dock + -ing.
From Middle English dockyng. By surface analysis, dock + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/docking
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0