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
   "The shipbuilder carefully laid the keel as the first step in constructing the boat"
    
2. A projection or ridge that suggests a keel
   "The boat's keel cut through the water"
    
3. The median ridge on the breastbone of birds that fly
   "The keel provides an attachment point for powerful flight muscles"

1. Walk as if unable to control one's movements
   "The drunken man keeled into the room";
   - stagger, reel, lurch, careen

Derived forms: keeled, keeling, keels

Type of: beam, carina, projection, walk

Part of: carinate, carinate bird, flying bird, hull

Encyclopedia: Keel, Mark