Definition of load line
: the line on a ship indicating the depth to which it sinks in the water when properly loaded — see plimsoll mark illustration
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on load line
What made you want to look up load line? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Farm Idioms Quiz
- What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share load line
Time Traveler for load line
The first known use of load line was circa 1859
See more words from the same year