1. a case or stand on a ship’s deck that holds the compass
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The captain checked the compass in the binnacle before changing course.
• The ship’s binnacle was mounted near the helm for easy navigation.
• A brass binnacle gleamed in the sunlight on the yacht’s deck.
• The navigator adjusted the light in the binnacle for nighttime sailing.
• The old sailing ship had an ornate wooden binnacle housing its compass.
• Modern vessels still use binnacles to protect their navigation equipment.