dock

A dock is a platform or structure from which people or things can enter or exit a place. There are docks for boats, trucks, aircraft, and spacecraft.

• Boats are tied to a dock so that people can easily get on or off.
• You can go fishing off of the end of a dock.
• Swimmers at a lake can jump off a dock when they are swimming.
• A loading dock makes it easier for large trucks to make deliveries to stores and warehouses.
• A person who works at a loading dock is called a dock worker.
• Docks in big cities are very busy places as they receive products that are local or global.
• Visitors to the international space station arrive and depart from a dock where the space vehicle attaches to the space station.

The word "dock" can be used as a verb or as an adjective:

• The boat docked at the end of the pier. (verb)
• The boat is docked. (adjective)
• The astronauts successfully docked at the space station. (verb)
• The space craft remains docked. (adjective)
• An airplane docks at a boarding bridge or walkway which leads to a gate at an airport.

The word "dock" is increasingly popular for electronic devices that connect to a charger or help connect one device to another.

• My laptop is connected to a dock which is also connected to a large monitor and printer.
• My phone is charging up from the docking station.
• This docking station has three USB ports and an SD card slot.

Another meaning for the word "dock" is in reference to a person’s paycheck. In this case, to dock someone’s pay is to reduce it for some reason.

• Rudy got docked for being late to work. (His paycheck was reduced because he was late.)
• Olivia had too many absences from work, so her pay was docked to match the hours not covered by personal time.
• The Acme Corporation docks the pay of workers who are required to purchase special uniforms and shoes.
• Your employer should inform you in advance if your paycheck is going to be docked.

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August 6, 2019