(nautical) The rounded portion of a ship's hull, forming a transition between the bottom and the sides. / (nautical) The lowest inner part of a ship's hull, where water accumulates.

(nautical, intransitive) To spring a leak in the bilge. / (intransitive) To bulge or swell. / (nautical, transitive) To break open the bilge(s) of.

simple past tense and past participle of bilge

plural of bilge

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of bilge

present participle of bilge

plural of bilge pump

plural of bilge keel

(nautical) A small pump fitted in ships and boats to pump the bilges clear of water.

(nautical) a strake, or small keel or blister, running along much of the length of the hull. It is used to reduce the hull's tendency to roll. They are typically fitted one on each side, low down on the side of the hull, so as not to increase the draft of the vessel. In battleships they were often quite large and used as part of the torpedo protection system.