Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

keel1

Pronunciation: /kiːl/
Translate keel | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of keel

noun

  • 1the lengthwise timber or steel structure along the base of a ship, supporting the framework of the whole, in some vessels extended downwards as a ridge to increase stability.
  • literary a ship: to buy a new keel with my gold, And fill her with such things as she may hold
  • 2 Zoology a ridge along the breastbone of many birds to which the flight muscles are attached; the carina.
  • 3 Botany a prow-shaped pair of petals present in flowers of the pea family.

verb

[no object] (keel over)
  • (of a boat or ship) turn over on its side; capsize: it’s going to take more wind to make this boat keel over
  • informal (of a person or thing) fall over; collapse: a wardrobe was about to keel over on top of him

Derivatives

keeled

adjective
[in combination]:a deep-keeled yacht

keelless

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old Norse kjǫlr, of Germanic origin

keel in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of keel in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

monocular

/ məˈnɒkjʊlə /
adjective , noun
with, for, or in one eye …