keel

A noun referring to a longitudinal structural member along the bottom of a ship or boat, or a similar ridge on the breastbone of flying birds, or any ridge projecting from a surface.

• 🇩🇪Ein substantivisches Wort für den längs verlaufenden Konstruktionsteil am Boden eines Schiffs oder Bootes, ebenso für einen entsprechenden Grat am Brustbein fliegender Vögel oder für jeden hervorstehenden Grat an einer Oberfläche.

1. ridge or projection B2 formal technical

   A natural or artificial ridge that resembles the structure of a ship's keel, often found in anatomy, geology, or design.

   • The fossil had a prominent keel along its back.
   • The mechanical part featured a central keel for reinforcement.
   • In some plants, the leaf has a keel-shaped midrib.

   🇩🇪Grat oder Vorsprung

   Synonyme: carinacrestridgespine

2. bird's breastbone keel C1 formal scientific

   The median ridge on the sternum (breastbone) of flying birds to which flight muscles attach.

   • The ornithologist pointed out the well-developed keel on the eagle's skeleton.
   • Flightless birds like ostriches have a reduced or absent keel.
   • The keel provides a stable anchor for powerful wing muscles.

   🇩🇪Brustbeinkiel

   Synonyme: carina

3. ship's keel B2 formal technical

   The main longitudinal structural element of a ship's hull, running from bow to stern, providing stability and strength.

   • The ship's keel was laid down in the dry dock.
   • Damage to the keel can cause serious instability at sea.
   • Modern vessels often have a bulbous keel for better hydrodynamics.

   🇩🇪Kiel eines Schiffes

• keels plural form
• keels' possessive plural form
• keel's possessive singular form

A verb meaning to turn over or capsize, typically used in nautical contexts; also used figuratively to mean to collapse or fall down.

• 🇩🇪Verb, das bedeutet, sich umzudrehen oder umzukippen, meist im maritimen Kontext verwendet; auch im übertragenen Sinne für das Fallen oder Einstürzen gebraucht.

1. Stagger or sway B2 informal

   To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall or lose control.

   • He keeled over after drinking too much.
   • The boxer keeled from the punch.
   • She keeled sideways, clutching her head.

   🇩🇪Schwanken

   Synonyme: lurchreelstaggerswaytotterwobble

   Antonyme: balancesteady

• keeled past participle
• keeled past simple
• keeling present participle
• keels third person singular

Phrasal-Varianten: keel over