waterline

noun wa·ter·line \ ˈwȯ-tər-ˌlīn , ˈwä- \

Definition of waterline

:a line that marks the level of the surface of water on something: such as

a (1) :the point on the hull of a ship or boat to which the water rises

(2) :a line marked on the outside of a ship that corresponds with the water's surface when the ship is afloat on an even keel under specified conditions of loading

b :shoreline 1

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Examples of waterline in a Sentence

We repaired the hull below the waterline.

Recent Examples of waterline from the Web

Dealing With A Flooded Car First, find the waterline.

— Popular Mechanics, "How to Evacuate Before a Storm or Flood," 25 Aug. 2017
The impact tore a hole in the warship's port side at the waterline, flooding compartments that included a crew sleeping area.

— karishma singh and fathin ungku, The Christian Science Monitor, "Latest accident in the US Pacific fleet prompts broader investigation," 22 Aug. 2017
The port side of the Crystal’s bow slammed into the Fitzgerald above the waterline, and the bulb-like bow below the surface crunched into the Fitzgerald near Berthing 2.

— tom vanden brook, USA TODAY, "Commander of stricken destroyer Fitzgerald relieved after Navy report cites failures," 17 Aug. 2017
For when a superpower makes such a threat and doesn’t follow through, its nuclear credibility — the cornerstone of our deterrence — is damaged well below the waterline.

— andrew sullivan, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump’s Reckless Nuclear Bluffing," 11 Aug. 2017
The ship enters dry dock about every 20 years for below-the-waterline repairs.

— crystal hill, The Seattle Times, "USS Constitution returns to Boston’s waters after repairs," 24 July 2017
The ship enters dry dock about every 20 years for below-the-waterline repairs.

— Washington Post, "USS Constitution returns to Boston’s waters after repairs," 24 July 2017
On Channel Lake, Frank Szczepaniak, 74, said the mark on his tree from the historic 2013 flood was a few inches higher than the waterline from this year's flood.

— frank s. abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "'We're moving in the right direction': Fox Waterway cresting just below record," 17 July 2017
In 2014, an amateur art historian who saw an image of the painting emailed officials at the Nelson and the Bosch Research and Conservation Project about the peculiar straight waterline surrounding St. Anthony’s pitcher.

— david frese, kansascity.com, "Rare Bosch painting, just one of five in U.S., finally on display at the Nelson," 28 June 2017

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

First Known Use of waterline

circa 1625

WATERLINE Defined for English Language Learners

waterline

noun

Definition of waterline for English Language Learners

the waterline : the level that water reaches on the side of a ship
: a horizontal mark on a wall or other surface that was made by water during a flood and that shows how high the water was

WATERLINE Defined for Kids

waterline

noun wa·ter·line \ ˈwȯ-tər-ˌlīn , ˈwä- \

Definition of waterline for Students

:any of several lines marked on the outside of a ship that match the surface of the water when the ship floats evenly

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