Dock

A dock is a an area of water between two piers or alongside a pier, forming a chamber used for building or repairing one ship. A dockyard consists of one or more docks, usually with other structures. Dry docks can be emptied of water, so all parts of the ship can be investigated, cleaned, maintained and repaired.

Related terms harbor, marina, dry dock.

Other usage: loading dock, the land equivalent.