centerboard

[ sen-ter-bawrd, -bohrd ]

/ ˈsɛn tərˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

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noun Nautical.

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

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Also called drop keel.

Compare daggerboard.

Origin of centerboard

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

Words nearby centerboard

centennial, Centennial State, center, center back, center bit, centerboard, centered, center field, center fielder, center-fire, centerfold

How to use centerboard in a sentence

When he looked again there was but one, a figure sprawled along the keel, clinging to the centerboard.
Cap'n Eri|Joseph Crosby Lincoln
The centerboard had floated up and projected at the top, and it was about this that Captain Davis' arms were clasped.
Cap'n Eri|Joseph Crosby Lincoln
Jonadab rolled up his shirt sleeves and laid hands on the centerboard stick.
Cape Cod Stories|Joseph C. Lincoln
The table swung to the centerboard-case on hinges, so that when not in use it actually occupied no room at all.
The Cruise of the Dazzler|Jack London

French Pete put his head up on the other side of the centerboard, his eyes heavy with sleep, and made them welcome.
The Cruise of the Dazzler|Jack London