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

Holes are also visible in other parts of the freeboard in one picture, suggesting the warship had taken in a substantial amount of water.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2022

A 2015 report showed that local building standards had prompted a big chunk of the state’s coastal population to add two feet of freeboard.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2018

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

From Washington Times • Feb. 21, 2016

Andrew Varney, of British-based security firm Port 2 Port Maritime, said the Matrix's low freeboard - the distance between a ship's railings and the water - and slower speed made it vulnerable to being boarded.

From Reuters • May 28, 2013

Even when it was unmanned, as now, there were only a few inches of freeboard.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams