Added 9 October 2026
keel
/kiːl/ noun
In Latin: carīna Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about keel at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A projection or ridge that suggests a keel.
- The median ridge on the breastbone of birds that fly.
- One of the main longitudinal beams (or plates) of the hull of a vessel; can extend vertically into the water to provide lateral stability.
verb
Origin
From Middle English kele, from Old Norse kjǫlr, itself from Proto-Germanic *keluz, of uncertain origin. Displaced Old English ċēol from a related root. Distantly related to kile.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)