1. a large cleat or wooden or iron belaying pin used on ships for securing ropes
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The sailor wrapped the rope around the kevel to secure the sail.
• Each kevel on the ship’s deck served as an anchor point for the rigging.
• The wooden kevel creaked under the tension of the mooring line.
• Maritime museums often display old kevels as examples of traditional ship hardware.
• The crew checked that all ropes were properly fastened to their respective kevels.