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

See Examples For:

freeboard

"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

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

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

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