sounding line

noun

1. a line weighted with a lead or plummet sounding lead and bearing marks to show the length paid out, used for sounding, as at sea.

sounding line

noun

1. a line marked off to indicate its length and having a sounding lead at one end. It is dropped over the side of a vessel to determine the depth of the water

Word History and Origins

Origin of sounding line¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

The lieutenant wanted two men to keep it out in the current while he used the sounding line and recorded results.

From Project Gutenberg

For some days the sounding-line reached the bottom, and the soil which it brought up indicated land to be at no great distance.

From Project Gutenberg

They had many things in the boat but lost only two billies, two pannikins, a sounding line and Hamilton's hat, knife and pipe.

From Project Gutenberg

On a trial trip we had found a depth of 130 feet not far from the shore, so we made ready a sounding line 490 feet long.

From Project Gutenberg

At the ninth sounding-station the red metal disc of the current-meter became entangled in the sounding-line.

From Project Gutenberg