The word dock (from Dutch dok) in American English refers one or a group of human-made structures that are involved in the handling of boats or ships (usually on or near a shore). In British English, the term is used the same way as in American English, but is also used to mean the area of water that is next to or around said structures. The exact meaning varies among different variants of the English language.
"Dock" may also refer to a dockyard (also known as a shipyard) where the loading, unloading, building, or repairing of ships occurs.
