WordGarden.ioundock
B2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ənˈdɑk/
Meanings
Verb
to release a boat or spacecraft from a dock or attached craft so it can depart
to disconnect a device or window from a dock or docking station
Beyond the definition
Imagine a ship gently pulling away from the pier: that's what this word describes. At its core, it means to detach or separate from a fixed connection, such as a dock, station, or base. We often think of boats and spacecraft, but the word is also common in daily tech use. You might remove your laptop from its docking station before heading to a meeting, or detach a toolbar in a software program so you can move it around the screen.
The word suggests a controlled release and the start of movement. It usually describes a careful action: disconnecting first, then moving away. Whether it's an astronaut separating a capsule from the International Space Station or a ferry leaving its dock, the word marks the shift from being fixed in place to moving freely.
To undock means to disconnect or detach from a base or station. It is most famously used in nautical and space contexts to describe the moment a vessel separates from its fixed point. For example: "The ferry began to undock after the last passengers boarded," or "The shuttle prepared to undock from the International Space Station." In these settings, it's a high-precision maneuver that requires careful coordination.
In the modern world, "undock" has become a standard term in technology. It describes the physical act of removing a portable device (like a laptop or a Nintendo Switch) from a base station that connects it to power and peripherals. In software, it refers to detaching a panel, window, or menu from the main interface so it can float independently.
The word usually points to an intentional and orderly separation, not just any kind of leaving. A boat does not simply sail off; it first disconnects from the dock. A spacecraft does not simply drift away; it separates from another craft or station through a planned procedure. In the same way, a device is not merely picked up; it is removed from the station or holder that was connecting it.
Overall, undock is used when something moves away after being attached to a dock, station, or similar support point. It fits best in situations involving ships, spacecraft, docking stations, and software elements that can be detached from a main interface.
Examples
- 1
Office routine
Before I leave the office, I undock my laptop and put it in my bag.
- 2
Spacecraft
The capsule is scheduled to undock from the space station early tomorrow.
- 3
Software layout
If the preview panel feels too small, you can undock it and move it to a second screen.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- undockverb