centerboard

American  

[sen-ter-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈsɛn tərˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

Nautical.

1. a pivoted fin keel that can be swung upward and aft within a watertight trunk when not in use.

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Etymology

Origin of centerboard

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; center + board

Example Sentences

It had a slot in the center of the cockpit, beside which rested a long centerboard.

From Literature

Osh pulled up the centerboard as we came into shore alongside the fish pier.

From Literature

Jorge Lima of Portugal recalls dropping from first place to last in a race here after a tarp that was floating beneath the surface caught his centerboard.

From New York Times

But the centerboard twice rubbed on the bottom lightly, so he took her back out a bit to deeper water until he had covered most of the bay and still found no sign of civilization.

From Literature

It stays shallow a long way out, and until I could push the centerboard down, we drifted.

From New York Times