noun
- a retractable keel on a sailboat that can be raised or lowered to provide stability and prevent sideways drift
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The sailor lowered the centerboard before heading into deeper water.
- Without the centerboard down, the small sailboat drifted sideways in the wind.
- She pulled up the centerboard when sailing into the shallow bay.
- The centerboard got stuck and wouldn’t retract into its housing.
- Modern dinghies often use a centerboard instead of a fixed keel.
- He checked that the centerboard was secure before setting sail.