Definition

1. Noun:

   • The lowest internal part of a ship's hull: The "bilge" is the area where the sides of the vessel curve inward to meet the bottom.
   • Foul water that collects in a ship's bilge: "Bilge" also refers to the dirty, stagnant water that accumulates in this bottom part.
   • (Informal) Nonsense or foolish talk: In informal contexts, "bilge" can mean worthless or stupid ideas or talk.

2. Verb:

   • To spring a leak in the bilge: When a ship "bilges," it means it takes in water through a leak in its bottom.
   • To damage a ship's bottom, causing a leak: To "bilge" a vessel means to cause a hole or fracture in its bottom, making it leak.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sailors pumped the foul-smelling bilge out of the ship's hold.
  • He was talking complete bilge about his secret plan to get rich.
• Verb:
  • The old wooden boat bilged after hitting a submerged rock.
  • The collision with the reef bilged the tanker, causing an oil spill.

Advanced Usage

• "Bilge keel": A long, fin-like projection fitted to the curved "bilge" of a ship to reduce rolling in heavy seas.
  • The ship's stability was improved by installing bilge keels.
• "Bilge pump": A pump specifically used to remove water from the "bilge" of a boat.
  • The automatic bilge pump activated when water rose in the hull.

Variants and Related Words

• Bilgy (adjective): Having the foul smell or characteristics of bilge water.
  • The cabin had a damp, bilgy odor after the storm.
• Bilges (noun, plural): The plural form, often referring to the bilge area or water in multiple compartments.

Synonyms

• Noun (for nonsense): Drivel, rubbish, hogwash, balderdash.
• Noun (for ship's bottom): Bottom, hull.
• Verb (for leaking): Spring a leak, founder.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Bilge" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal use is typically straightforward.)

Related Idioms

• "That's a load of bilge!": An informal expression used to dismiss something said as complete nonsense.
  • His excuse for being late was a load of bilge!

Noun

1. where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom
2. water accumulated in the bilge of a ship

Verb

1. take in water at the bilge
   • the tanker bilged
2. cause to leak
   • the collision bilged the vessel