Definition

1. Noun:

   • A structural beam along the bottom of a ship's hull: The keel is the central, longitudinal structure running from the front (bow) to the back (stern) of a vessel, forming its backbone and providing stability.
   • A ridge on the breastbone of flying birds: In ornithology, the keel is a prominent ridge on the sternum (breastbone) of birds, which serves as an anchor for flight muscles.
   • Any projecting ridge resembling a ship's keel: This can refer to a similar central ridge or structure in other contexts, such in botany or anatomy.

2. Verb:

   • To walk unsteadily; to stagger: This verb describes a clumsy, swaying manner of walking, often due to illness, intoxication, or dizziness.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The ship's keel was laid in 2020. (The central structural beam of the ship was first put in place in 2020.)
  • The keel of a bird is essential for powered flight. (The ridge on a bird's breastbone is crucial for the mechanics of flying.)
  • The leaf had a distinct keel running down its center. (The leaf had a central ridge that looked like a ship's keel.)

• Verb:

  • After the blow to his head, he began to keel and had to sit down. (After being hit on the head, he started to stagger unsteadily.)

Advanced Usage

• "on an even keel": In a stable, steady, or balanced condition.
  • After the market turmoil, the company is finally back on an even keel. (The company is stable again after the financial disturbance.)
• "to keel over": To fall over suddenly, often due to fainting, shock, or death.
  • The runner keeled over from exhaustion at the finish line. (The runner collapsed suddenly at the end of the race.)

Variants and Related Words

• Keelboat (n): A type of riverboat with a keel.
• Keelson (n): An internal structure fastened above and parallel to the keel to add strength.
• Bilge keel (n): A pair of small keels on either side of a ship's hull to reduce rolling.

Synonyms

• Noun (ship part): backbone, spine.
• Verb: stagger, reel, lurch, totter.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Keel over: To capsize or turn upside down (for a boat); to collapse or fall over (for a person).
  • The small boat keeled over in the strong wind. (The boat capsized.)
  • She felt dizzy and keeled over. (She fainted and fell down.)

Related Idioms

• "To lay down a keel": To begin the construction of a ship.
  • The shipyard will lay down the keel for the new vessel next month. (Construction of the new ship will officially start next month.)

Noun

1. one of the main longitudinal beams (or plates) of the hull of a vessel; can extend vertically into the water to provide lateral stability
2. the median ridge on the breastbone of birds that fly
3. a projection or ridge that suggests a keel

Verb

1. walk as if unable to control one's movements
   • The drunken man staggered into the room