freeboard

American  

[free-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈfriˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

1. Nautical.

   1. the distance between the level of the water and the upper surface of the freeboard deck amidships at the side of a hull: regulated by the agencies of various countries according to the construction of the hull, the type of cargo carried, the area of the world in which it sails, the type of water, and the season of the year.

   2. (on a cargo vessel) the distance between the uppermost deck considered fully watertight and the official load line.

   3. the portion of the side of a hull that is above the water.

2. Civil Engineering. the height of the watertight portion of a building or other construction above a given level of water in a river, lake, etc.

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freeboard British  

/ ˈfriːˌbɔːd /

noun

1. the space or distance between the deck of a vessel and the waterline

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Etymology

Origin of freeboard

1670–80; free + board; translation of French franc bord

Example Sentences

"Majority of the incidents involved bulk carriers, and tugs and barges with low freeboard and slow speed while underway, and the incidents occurred in hours of darkness," it said.

From Reuters • Aug. 11, 2023

The ship that was captured on Monday had a low freeboard and was travelling so slowly that it was, he says "almost a sitting duck".

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2017

Many coastal towns and counties in North Carolina now have their own freeboard ordinances that push new construction above the base flood elevation—and they don’t even need to mention sea level rise to do so.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2017

With that load, the boat had only 3 inches of freeboard, Grace said.

From Washington Times • Feb. 21, 2016

We had plenty of freeboard, the distance between the water and the gunnel; it would take a mean sea to swamp us.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel