galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈga-lē 

plural galleys

1

: a ship or boat propelled solely or chiefly by oars: such as

a

: a long low ship used for war and trading especially in the Mediterranean Sea from the Middle Ages to the 19th century

also : galleass

b

: a warship of classical antiquity compare bireme, trireme

c

: a large open boat (such as a gig) formerly used in England

2

: the kitchen and cooking apparatus especially of a ship or airplane

3

a

: an oblong tray to hold especially a single column of set type

b

: a proof of typeset matter especially in a single column before being made into pages

Illustration of galley

• galley 1a

Examples of galley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the galley, everyone is skeptical about this tiny day-old cake Cloyce ordered. —Emma Soren, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024

The high standard of cooking is especially impressive considering that its taking place in a tight galley kitchen while the train rocks 'n' rolls more vigorously than Elvis. —James Rampton, theweek, 24 Oct. 2024

The broad bow area of a catamaran is ideal for laying out with friends, and the galley is more spacious. —Rob Reed, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

Hiker Trailers Some trailer makers have begun offering wide-open teardrop designs without any type of rear galley to cut down both overall size and price. —New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English galeie, galey, borrowed from Anglo-French galee, galeie (continental Old French galee, galie), borrowed (probably in part via Upper Italian dialects) from Middle Greek galéa, after galéa "the shark Galeorhinus galeus," probably re-formation of Greek galeós, a name for the same fish, of uncertain origin

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing galley

• galley-west

Kids Definition

galley

noun

gal·​ley ˈgal-ē 

plural galleys

1

: a large low ship of olden times moved by oars and sails

2

: the kitchen especially of a ship or airplane