noun
- a longitudinal structural beam fastened above and parallel to the keel of a ship to strengthen the framework
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The shipwright carefully positioned the keelson to reinforce the vessel’s backbone.
- During the inspection, they found damage to the keelson that required immediate repair.
- The keelson runs the length of the ship, providing crucial structural support.
- Traditional wooden ships relied on a sturdy keelson to distribute stress along the hull.
- The naval architect specified a steel keelson for the new destroyer.
- Workers bolted the keelson securely to the keel using heavy iron fasteners.