noun
ark
ahk
noun
1
The large boat built by Noah in the Bible story, used to save his family and pairs of animals from a great flood.
"The children's Bible showed animals filing two by two into the ark."
2
Any large, flat-bottomed boat, or (more loosely) anything that offers protection and refuge.
"The old canal boats were sometimes called arks."
"For many refugees, the shelter became an ark of safety."
3
A cabinet at the front of a synagogue that holds the Torah scrolls.
"The rabbi opened the ark to remove the Torah for the reading."
How to Use Ark
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBest known as Noah's boat in the Bible, but also used for the Torah cabinet in a synagogue or, loosely, anything offering shelter.
Common pairings
Noah's ark
the ark of the covenant
Word Forms
arks plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “ark”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children's Bible showed animals filing two by two into the _____.
Etymology
From Old English earc, from Latin arca, "chest, box," from arcere, "to enclose."