careen

[ kuh-reen ]

verb (used without object)

1. (of a vehicle) to lean, sway, or tip to one side while in motion:

   The car careened around the corner.

2. (of a ship) to heel over or list.
3. career ( def 7 ).
4. South Midland U.S. to lean or bend away from the vertical position:

   The barn was careening a little.

verb (used with object)

, Nautical.

1. to cause (a ship) to lie over on a side, as for repairs or cleaning; heave down.
2. to clean or repair (a ship lying on its side for the purpose).
3. to cause (a ship) to heel over or list, as by the force of a beam wind.

noun

1. a careening.
2. Nautical. the position of a careened ship.

careen

/ kəˈriːn /

verb

1. to sway or cause to sway dangerously over to one side
2. tr nautical to cause (a vessel) to keel over to one side, esp in order to clean or repair its bottom
3. intr nautical (of a vessel) to keel over to one side

Derived Forms

• caˈreener, noun
• caˈreenage, noun

Other Words From

• ca·reener noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of careen¹

1585–95 careen fordef 9; < Middle French carine < Latin carīna keel, nutshell; akin to Greek káryon nut

Word History and Origins

Origin of careen¹

C17: from French carène keel, from Italian carena, from Latin carīna keel

Example Sentences

Rollerbladers careen down its immaculate sidewalks while couples stroll leisurely past.

From The Daily Beast

We have a movement full of people who love their country and who are terrified of the course that it continues to careen along.

From The Daily Beast

Here and there he lay in such rubbish as motionless as the effigies careen on marble biers.

From Project Gutenberg

At early dawn a fierce gust of wind caused the schooners "Hamilton" and "Scourge" to careen far to leeward.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 28th the weather was fine enough to "Careen clean and tallow the ships five streaks below the water line."

From Project Gutenberg

He by no means suffering them to "careen at Umrest where all the Dutch ships are cleaned."

From Project Gutenberg

Al, who was in the main cabin, ran forward as he felt the boat shiver and careen and looked down over the bow.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lurch