noun
- a longitudinal structural beam that runs along the bottom of a ship’s hull, typically bolted to the top of the keel
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The shipwright carefully positioned the kelson over the keel before securing it with bolts.
- During the inspection, they found damage to the kelson that required immediate repair.
- The kelson provides additional strength to the ship’s backbone structure.
- Workers installed the kelson as part of the vessel’s frame construction.
- The old sailing ship’s kelson was made of solid oak timber.
- Marine surveyors examined the kelson for signs of rot or weakness.