water line
or wa·ter·line
- Nautical. the part of the outside of a ship's hull that is just at the water level.
- Naval Architecture. any of a series of lines on the hull plans of a vessel representing the level to which the vessel is immersed or the bottom of the keel.Compare load line, Plimsoll line.
- the line in which water at its surface borders upon a floating body.
- water level(def 2).
- Also called watermark. a line indicating the former level or passage of water: A water line all around the cellar served as a reminder of the flood.
- a pipe, hose, tube, or other line for conveying water.
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Origin of water line
First recorded in 1615–25
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for waterline
Contemporary Examples
Meanwhile, the rest of hull is wide at the waterline and slopes inward.
His last novel, Waterline was the story of a one-time shipbuilder in the Glasgow yards, now broken by loss.
Historical Examples
One man said the ship had been struck above the waterline and would float.
Tom Slade with the ColorsPercy K. Fitzhugh
Five of the nine left of the Waterline outfit drove the herd.
Rimrock TrailJ. Allan Dunn
He had seen them before on their first unsuccessful trip to the Waterline.
Rimrock TrailJ. Allan Dunn
A moment later, and the whole schooner was ablaze, from waterline to masthead.
The Black BuccaneerStephen W. Meader
He drove me off'n the Waterline, him an' the ones that hang with him.
Rimrock TrailJ. Allan Dunn
water line
- a line marked at the level around a vessel's hull to which the vessel will be immersed when afloat
- a line marking the level reached by a body of water
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for waterline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper