bilge
Nautical.
either of the rounded areas that form the transition between the bottom and the sides on the exterior of a hull.
Also bilges. (in a hull with a double bottom) an enclosed area between frames at each side of the floors, where seepage collects.
Also called bilge well. a well into which seepage drains to be pumped away.
Also called bilge water. seepage accumulated in bilges.
Slang. bilge water (def. 2).
the widest circumference or belly of a cask.
Nautical.
to leak in the bilge.
(of white paint) to turn yellow.
to bulge or swell out.
Nautical. to damage (a hull bottom) so as to create an entry for seawater.
Origin of bilge
1Words Nearby bilge
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use bilge in a sentence
For most ships of the era, much of the wastewater, seawater, and human excrement was collected in the bilge area of the vessel – which corresponded to the space below the hold.
Spanish Galleon: The Definitive Warship of the Atlantic | Dattatreya Mandal | September 18, 2022 | Realm of HistoryAs soon as I was alone and could think about anything other than our freshwater supply, or cleaning the head, or pumping the bilge water from the bosun’s locker, my mind seemed to empty.
Inhale, Exhale. Sitting with Grief on the Red Sea Floor. | jversteegh | January 10, 2022 | Outside OnlineThis resembled the old bilge-water of a ship for foulness, but both men and oxen drank of it with avidity.
Robert Moffat | David J. DeaneAn external bilge keel about 300 feet long and 25 inches deep was fitted along the bilge amidships.
Loss of the Steamship 'Titanic' | British GovernmentThen at last it came alongside, and he crawled cautiously down the curve of the bilge and secured it.
Blow The Man Down | Holman Day
Along about sunrise Mr. Pellett stirred in the bilge and raised a peagreen face.
Where the Pavement Ends | John RussellHer passenger spent the night praying in the bilge; and as for her commander, he left no report.
Where the Pavement Ends | John Russell
British Dictionary definitions for bilge
/ (bɪldʒ) /
nautical the parts of a vessel's hull where the vertical sides curve inwards to form the bottom
(often plural) the parts of a vessel between the lowermost floorboards and the bottom
Also called: bilge water the dirty water that collects in a vessel's bilge
informal silly rubbish; nonsense
the widest part of the belly of a barrel or cask
(intr) nautical (of a vessel) to take in water at the bilge
(tr) nautical to damage (a vessel) in the bilge, causing it to leak
Origin of bilge
1Derived forms of bilge
- bilgy, adjective
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
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