galley

/ˈgæli/

/ˈgæli/

Other forms: galleys

A galley is a long ship propelled by oars, and possibly sails as well. You're not likely to see a galley these days: they were used from ancient to medieval times.

You may have seen movies portraying old ships with dozens of rowers, lined up on benches. Those ships are galleys. Galleys were used for more than a thousand years, and they played an important role in both war and trade. If someone today says they’ve been in a galley, you can assume they aren’t referring to this kind of ship. They probably mean the galley, or the kitchen area, of a ship or airplane.

Definitions of galley

1. noun

   a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading
   type of:

   vessel, watercraft

   a craft designed for water transportation
2. noun

   (classical antiquity) a crescent-shaped seagoing vessel propelled by oars
   types:

   trireme

   ancient Greek or Roman galley or warship having three tiers of oars on each side

   type of:

   vessel, watercraft

   a craft designed for water transportation
3. noun

   the kitchen area for food preparation on an airliner
   type of:

   kitchen

   a room equipped for preparing meals
4. noun

   the area for food preparation on a ship
   synonyms: caboose, cookhouse, ship's galley

   types:

   cuddy

   the galley or pantry of a small ship

   type of:

   kitchen

   a room equipped for preparing meals