Definition

1. Noun:
   • A water gauge: A device that shows the level of water by displaying the surface of the water in a trough or U-shaped tube.
   • A line on a vessel: A line marked on the hull of a ship that corresponds to the surface of the water when the ship is correctly afloat on an even keel.
   • The water table: The underground surface below which the ground is completely saturated with water.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The engineer checked the water level in the gauge to monitor the reservoir.
  • The ship's water level must be clearly visible to ensure proper loading.
  • After the drought, the water level in the wells dropped significantly.

Advanced Usage

• "to be at/above/below water level": Describing a position relative to the surface of a body of water.
  • The basement was flooded because it was below the water level.
• "to reach a water level": To attain a specific height of water.
  • The floodwaters are expected to reach a dangerous water level by tonight.

Variants and Related Words

• Water table (noun): A specific type of water level referring to the underground saturation surface.
  • Excessive irrigation can lower the water table.
• Waterline (noun): A synonym for the marked line on a ship's hull indicating the water level.
  • The cargo was loaded up to the waterline.

Synonyms

• Waterline: Especially for the marked line on a ship.
• Water table: Specifically for the underground saturated zone.
• Gauge level: For the measuring device indication.

Related Phrases

• High-water level: The maximum level reached by a body of water.
  • The high-water level mark showed the extent of the previous flood.
• Low-water level: The minimum level of a body of water.
  • During summer, the river is at its low-water level.

Noun

1. a water gauge that shows the level by showing the surface of the water in a trough or U-shaped tube
2. a line corresponding to the surface of the water when the vessel is afloat on an even keel; often painted on the hull of a ship
3. underground surface below which the ground is wholly saturated with water
   • spring rains had raised the water table
4. the level of the surface of a body of water