water line

or wa·ter·line

[ waw-ter lahyn, ]

noun
  1. Nautical. the part of the outside of a ship's hull that is just at the water level.

  2. Naval Architecture. any of a series of lines on the hull plans of a vessel representing the level to which the vessel is immersed or the bottom of the keel.: Compare load line, Plimsoll line.

  1. the line in which water at its surface borders upon a floating body.

  2. Also called watermark. a line indicating the former level or passage of water: A water line all around the cellar served as a reminder of the flood.

  3. a pipe, hose, tube, or other line for conveying water.

  4. waterline, the slightly wet inner rim of skin between the upper or lower eyelashes and the eye, especially with reference to the use of eyeliner: Apply pencil eyeliner to your upper and lower waterlines.

Origin of water line

1
First recorded in 1615–25

Words Nearby water line

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use water line in a sentence

  • “Theoretically, a person could survive in one of the cabins that is above the water line for days,” he said.

  • The first and second regattas introduced races for boats or yachts of 25 feet and 30 feet on the load water-line.

    Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.
  • (d) The yacht shall show at least one-quarter of an inch of her rudder-post clear of the water when on her load-water-line.

    Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.
  • In vain Lamont skilfully pierced the planking beneath water line.

    Menotah | Ernest G. Henham
  • A lookout cage, constructed of steel, was fitted on the foremast at a height of about 95 feet above the water line.

    Loss of the Steamship 'Titanic' | British Government
  • There were none below the water-line, but each wave swept through the holes on the sides.

    The Boys of '61 | Charles Carleton Coffin.

British Dictionary definitions for water line

water line

noun
  1. a line marked at the level around a vessel's hull to which the vessel will be immersed when afloat

  2. a line marking the level reached by a body of water

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012