Word: Waterline
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The waterline is a line that shows where the surface of the water meets the side of a ship or boat when it is floating evenly in the water. This line is often painted on the hull (the body) of the ship so that people can see it easily.
Usage Instructions: You can use "waterline" to talk about boats, ships, and sometimes even in discussions about swimming pools or other bodies of water.
Example Sentence: "The captain checked the waterline to ensure the ship was not overloaded."
Advanced Usage: In maritime contexts, the waterline can also refer to different points on the hull of a ship that indicate how deeply it sits in the water when carrying various amounts of cargo. There are specific terms like "load waterline," which indicates the maximum safe level for loading cargo.
Word Variants: The word "waterline" does not have many variants, but you might come across related terms like "hull" (the main body of the ship) or "draft" (how deep the ship sits in the water).
Different Meanings: - In a more general context, "waterline" can also refer to the line of water in a swimming pool or any other body of water, indicating how full it is.
Synonyms: - Water level (in a more general sense) - Floating line (though this is less common)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "waterline," but you might hear phrases like "below the waterline," which can mean something that is hidden or not obvious, similar to the way that part of a ship is underwater and not easily seen.
Remember: The waterline is important for safety in boating.