What is "poop deck"

Deck \Deck\, n. [D. dek. See Deck, v.]

1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck; larger ships have two or three decks. Note: The following are the more common names of the decks of vessels having more than one. Berth deck (Navy), a deck next below the gun deck, where the hammocks of the crew are swung. Boiler deck (River Steamers), the deck on which the boilers are placed. Flush deck, any continuous, unbroken deck from stem to stern. Gun deck (Navy), a deck below the spar deck, on which the ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the upper one is called the main deck, the lower, the lower gun deck; if there are three, one is called the middle gun deck. Half-deck, that portion of the deck next below the spar deck which is between the mainmast and the cabin. Hurricane deck (River Steamers, etc.), the upper deck, usually a light deck, erected above the frame of the hull. Orlop deck, the deck or part of a deck where the cables are stowed, usually below the water line. Poop deck, the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the mizzenmast aft. Quarter-deck, the part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one. Spar deck.

   1. Same as the upper deck.

   2. Sometimes a light deck fitted over the upper deck.

      Upper deck, the highest deck of the hull, extending from stem to stern.

2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb roof when made nearly flat.

3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger car.

4. A pack or set of playing cards.

   The king was slyly fingered from the deck.
   --Shak.

5. A heap or store. [Obs.]

   Who . . . hath such trinkets Ready in the deck.
   --Massinger.

6. (A["e]ronautics) A main a["e]roplane surface, esp. of a biplane or multiplane.

7. the portion of a bridge which serves as the roadway.

8. a flat platform adjacent to a house, usually without a roof; -- it is typically used for relaxing out of doors, outdoor cooking, or entertaining guests.

   Between decks. See under Between.

   Deck bridge (Railroad Engineering), a bridge which carries the track upon the upper chords; -- distinguished from a through bridge, which carries the track upon the lower chords, between the girders.

   Deck curb (Arch.), a curb supporting a deck in roof construction.

   Deck floor (Arch.), a floor which serves also as a roof, as of a belfry or balcony.

   Deck hand, a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but not expected to go aloft.

   Deck molding (Arch.), the molded finish of the edge of a deck, making the junction with the lower slope of the roof.

   Deck roof (Arch.), a nearly flat roof which is not surmounted by parapet walls.

   Deck transom (Shipbuilding), the transom into which the deck is framed.

   To clear the decks (Naut.), to remove every unnecessary incumbrance in preparation for battle; to prepare for action.

   To sweep the deck (Card Playing), to clear off all the stakes on the table by winning them.

n. (context nautical English) A high, exposed deck at the stern of a ship on top of the cabin(s).

n. an exposed partial weather deck on the stern superstructure of a ship

In naval architecture, a poop deck is a deck that forms the roof of a cabin built in the rear, or " aft", part of the superstructure of a ship.

The name originates from the French word for stern, la poupe, from Latin puppis. Thus the poop deck is technically a stern deck, which in sailing ships was usually elevated as the roof of the stern or "after" cabin, also known as the "poop cabin". In sailing ships, with the helmsman at the stern, an elevated position was ideal for both navigation and observation of the crew and sails.

On modern, motorized warships, the ship functions which were once carried out on the poop deck have been moved to the bridge, usually located on the superstructure in the center of ships, or the starboard side island of aircraft carriers.