top timber

noun

, Nautical.

1. a timber forming the upper, straighter portion of a frame in a wooden hull.

Word History and Origins

Origin of top timber¹

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

A name sometimes given to the back sweep which forms the upper part of the top-timber.

From Project Gutenberg

In naval architecture, a name for the fifth or top-timber sweep (which see).

From Project Gutenberg