quay

Everyday

A stone or concrete platform along the edge of water in a harbour, where boats stop to load and unload: «The fishing boats tied up at the quay.» tree →

In the lessons

In geography lessons quays are part of ports and harbours; in everyday life and stories people walk along the quay to watch boats. Phrases: «on the quay», «along the quay», «quayside».

Examples

• The ferry waited at the quay. tree →
• Fishermen unloaded their catch on the quay. tree →
• We ate chips on the quay and watched the boats. tree →
• Stand back from the edge of the quay. tree →
• Old warehouses line the quayside. tree →
• The tall ship was moored at the quay for the festival. tree →
• The moment the merchant began praying the winds were stilled, the sea became calm, and the ship went sailing on prosperously to the quay. tree →

Note

Sounds exactly like «key» (KEE) — a homophone; also like «cay» (a small island). Countable: quay, quays. Similar words: wharf, dock, pier, jetty (a pier sticks out into the sea; a quay runs along the shore). Safety: quays have no railings; do not run near the edge.