bilge

American  

[bilj] / bɪldʒ /

noun

1. Nautical.

   1. either of the rounded areas that form the transition between the bottom and the sides on the exterior of a hull.

   2. Also bilges. (in a hull with a double bottom) an enclosed area between frames at each side of the floors, where seepage collects.

   3. Also called bilge well.  a well into which seepage drains to be pumped away.

   4. Also called bilge water.  seepage accumulated in bilges.

2. Slang. bilge water.

3. the widest circumference or belly of a cask.

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verb (used without object)

bilged, bilging

1. Nautical.

   1. to leak in the bilge.

   2. (of white paint) to turn yellow.

2. to bulge or swell out.

verb (used with object)

bilged, bilging

1. Nautical. to damage (a hull bottom) so as to create an entry for seawater.

bilge British  

/ bɪldʒ /

noun

1. nautical the parts of a vessel's hull where the vertical sides curve inwards to form the bottom

2. (often plural) the parts of a vessel between the lowermost floorboards and the bottom

3. Also called: bilge water.  the dirty water that collects in a vessel's bilge

4. informal silly rubbish; nonsense

5. the widest part of the belly of a barrel or cask

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verb

1. (intr) nautical (of a vessel) to take in water at the bilge

2. (tr) nautical to damage (a vessel) in the bilge, causing it to leak

Other Word Forms

• bilgy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of bilge

First recorded in 1505–15; perhaps variant of bulge

Explanation

The bilge is the lowest part of a ship where the bottom curves up to meet the sides. The water that collects there is also called bilge. Since bilge is dirty and smelly, the word is also slang for “nonsense.” On a large ship, some water inevitably ends up in the part that’s below the water line, the bilge. Because the bilge tends to sit there for a long time, sloshing around and mixing with oil, chemicals, waste, and cleaning products, it tends to stink. Periodically, the bilge is pumped out so the ship doesn't get too heavy and sink. Bilge is thought to be a variation on bulge, originally "wallet or bag," and later "ship's hull."

Example Sentences

If you have ever sat at a restaurant, marveling at the bilge offered on the kids’ menu and wondering how on earth we got here, “Picky” has the answers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

It is oppressively dull work, but at least it isn’t the bilge.

From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2022

Emily Bell of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism worried that readers might be deluged with "bilge".

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2022

In addition to the boat and a paddle, other basic essentials include a life jacket, whistle, manual bilge pump and spray skirt.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 16, 2022

I been bailing Rose for months, getting up before dawn to pump out the bilge and keep her floating.

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick