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bilge water

American  

noun

  1. Nautical. bilge.

  2. Also called bilgeSlang. foolish, worthless, or offensive talk or ideas; nonsense; rubbish.


Etymology

Origin of bilge water

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The bilge water was not processed through required pollution prevention equipment, and the illegal discharges were not recorded in the vessel’s oil record book, as required by law, prosecutors said.

From Seattle Times Aug. 9, 2023

Some suggest bilge water from passing freighters could be aggravating its spread in Turks and Caicos.

From BBC Jan. 9, 2020

Sometimes bilge water can be discharged into the ocean but only after almost all oil is separated out.

From The Guardian Dec. 2, 2016

Eventually, with the help of a confidential informant, investigators would learn of the ship’s multiple unreported engine failures and makeshift hose-and-barrel system for bilge water that discharged oily waste into the ocean.

From New York Times Dec. 30, 2014

This cunning, evocation of smells, jute, bilge water, the warm oils of the engine room?

From Jaffery by Locke, William John

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