dock

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C] a part of a port where ships are repaired or where goods are put onto or taken off them: dock workers * a dock strike * The ship was in dock. seealsoDRYDOCK 2 (docks) [pl.] a group of docks in a port and the buildings around them that are used for repairing ships, storing goods, etc. 3 [C] (AmE) = JETTY 4 [C] (AmE) a raised platform for loading vehicles or trains 5 [C] the part of a court of law where the person who has been accused of a crime stands or sits during a trial: He's been in the dock (= on trial for a crime) several times already. 6 [U] a wild plant of Northern Europe with large thick leaves that can be rubbed on skin that has been stung by NETTLES to make it less painful: dock leaves verb 1 if a ship docks or you dock a ship, it sails into a harbour and stays there: [V] The ferry is expected to dock at 6. [also VN] 2 if two spacecraft dock, or are docked, they are joined together in space: [VN] Next year, a technology module will be docked on the space station. [also V] 3 [VN] ~ sth (from / off sth) to take away part of sb's wages, etc: If you're late, your wages will be docked. * They've docked 15% off my pay for this week. 4 [VN] to cut an animal's tail short: The horse's tail had been docked.