# docks

/ˈdɑks/ (US) · /dˈɒks/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/docks
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. port area

noun · CEFR B1

an area in a port with buildings and equipment for loading and unloading ships.

For teachers: a complex of piers, wharves, and warehouses in a port where commercial vessels are serviced.

- The workers spent all night moving heavy crates at the docks.
- The city's historic docks have been transformed from a gritty industrial hub into a vibrant district of luxury apartments and galleries.

Usage: Often used in the plural when referring to the entire industrial area.

### 2. joining a station

verb · CEFR B2

when a ship or spacecraft joins onto a station or pier.

For teachers: the action of a vessel or spacecraft coming alongside a quay or connecting with another craft.

- The ferry docks at the pier every hour to let passengers off.
- The automated cargo ship docks with the international space station using a series of precise thruster adjustments.

### 3. reducing pay

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to take away part of someone's wages or points as a punishment.

For teachers: to deduct a portion of money or points, typically as a penalty or for a specific expense.

- The company docks his pay if he arrives more than ten minutes late.
- The manager threatened to dock the employees' bonuses if the quarterly safety targets were not met by the end of the month.

Usage: Usually takes a direct object representing the amount or the source of the deduction.

## Examples

- The ship arrived at the docks early.
- Workers at the docks loaded containers onto the waiting freighter.
- The historic docks have been transformed into a vibrant cultural district, preserving the industrial heritage while accommodating modern leisure activities.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.