noun
- the main structural beam that runs along the bottom of a ship or boat
Usage: nautical
verb
- to fall over suddenly
- to turn a boat on its side
Usage: often used with ‘over’
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The ship’s keel was damaged when it hit the rocks.
- Workers laid the keel before building the rest of the boat.
- He keeled over from exhaustion after the marathon.
- The old man keeled over in the heat.
- Strong winds caused the sailboat to keel dangerously.
- The yacht keeled to starboard in the rough seas.