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bowline

noun
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bow·​line | \ ˈbō-lən How to pronounce bowline (audio) , -ˌlīn \

Definition of bowline

1 : a rope used to keep the weather edge of a square sail taut forward
2 : a knot used to form a loop that neither slips nor jams — see knot illustration

Examples of bowline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One of the most common knots, and handiest, is a bowline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2021 One of the most common knots, and handiest, is a bowline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2021 One of the most common knots, and handiest, is a bowline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2021 One of the most common knots, and handiest, is a bowline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2021 One of the most common knots, and handiest, is a bowline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2021 One of the most common knots, and handiest, is a bowline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2021 One of the most common knots, and handiest, is a bowline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2021 One of the most common knots, and handiest, is a bowline. — John Schandelmeier, Anchorage Daily News, 9 July 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bowline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of bowline

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for bowline

Middle English boweline, probably from bowe bow + line

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Time Traveler for bowline

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The first known use of bowline was in the 13th century

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Dictionary Entries Near bowline

bow light

bowline

bowline bridle

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Statistics for bowline

Cite this Entry

“Bowline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowline. Accessed 11 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for bowline

bowline

noun
bow·​line | \ ˈbō-lən How to pronounce bowline (audio) \

Kids Definition of bowline

: a knot used for making a loop that will not slip

More from Merriam-Webster on bowline

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bowline

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