Quay

Pronunciation

• UK enPR: kÄ“, IPA: /kiː/
• US IPA: /keɪ/, /kweɪ/
• Rhymes: -iː
• Homophones: key in certain pronunciations

Origin

From Old French kay, cail (modern French quai), from Gaulish *kagyum, cagiíun ("enclosure"), from Proto-Celtic *kagyom ("pen, enclosure") (compare Welsh cae ("hedge")), from Proto-Indo-European *kagʰom ("enclosure").

Full definition of quay

Noun

1. (nautical) A stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels; a wharf.

Derived terms

• quayside

Verb

1. To land or tie up at a quay or similar structure, especially used in the phrase "quay up".