waterline

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

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

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

See waterline defined for English-language learners

See waterline defined for kids

Examples of waterline in a Sentence

We repaired the hull below the waterline.

Recent Examples of waterline from the Web

The Blue Eye lounges will be positioned beneath the waterline and feature two large observation windows, one on each side of the ship, shaped like whales' eyes.

— rosemary mcclure, latimes.com, "Six more Ponant ships to be launched, all equipped with underwater lounges," 26 Mar. 2018
The survival of a significant portion of the hull is not unusual, as ships will only burn down to the waterline.

— ben raines, AL.com, "Wreck found by reporter may be last American slave ship, archaeologists say," 23 Jan. 2018
For example, portholes below the waterline had been opened and damage to the twin hulls appeared to have been caused from the inside, according to the FBI.

— crimesider staff, CBS News, "Man who said wife vanished at sea charged with murder," 20 Feb. 2018
Removing the trim tabs left half-dollar-size holes in the boat’s hull near the waterline, so Nathan filled them with marine putty.

— james d. walsh, Daily Intelligencer, "A Son Took His Mother Out Fishing. She Never Came Back.," 23 Jan. 2018
Beginners should consider constructing what’s known as a waterline ship, which sits atop a sea usually made of modeling clay or plumber’s putty, thereby saving you from having to make a full hull that needs to fit through the opening.

— malia wollan, New York Times, "How to Build a Ship in a Bottle," 12 Jan. 2018
Add definition to your eyes by tracing along your top and bottom waterlines with a creamy black eyeliner.

— jada wong, Cosmopolitan, "How to Wear Colorful Lipstick — Even if You’re Afraid of Color," 25 Apr. 2017
The Russian flagship could survive a single impact, even at the waterline.

— joe pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "What a U.S.-Russian War in Syria Could Look Like," 9 Oct. 2015
Lower lash line Though not necessary for every look, your lower lash line, just below the waterline, is where liner and shadow can be applied to define the eyes.

— sam escobar, Good Housekeeping, "The Complete Guide to Where to Put Your Eye Makeup," 15 Dec. 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