Definition of 'bilge'

Word Frequency

bilge

(bɪldʒ )

Word forms: plural bilges

1. countable noun

The bilge or the bilges are the flat bottom part of a ship or boat.

2. uncountable noun

If you say that something written or spoken is bilge, you mean that you think it is untrue or silly.

[informal, disapproval]

I supported us by writing bilge for women's magazines.

Synonyms: trash, rubbish, rot [informal], garbage [informal] More Synonyms of bilge

Word Frequency

bilge in British

(bɪldʒ )

noun

1. nautical

the parts of a vessel's hull where the vertical sides curve inwards to form the bottom

2. (often plural)

the parts of a vessel between the lowermost floorboards and the bottom

3. Also called: bilgewater

the dirty water that collects in a vessel's bilge

4. informal

silly rubbish; nonsense

the widest part of the belly of a barrel or cask

verb

6. (intransitive) nautical

(of a vessel) to take in water at the bilge

7. (transitive) nautical

to damage (a vessel) in the bilge, causing it to leak

Derived forms

bilgy (ˈbilgy)

adjective

Word origin of 'bilge'

C16: probably a variant of bulge

Word Frequency

bilge in American

(bɪldʒ ; bilj)

noun

the bulge of a barrel or cask

the rounded, lower exterior part of a ship's hull

a. [also pl.]

the bottommost interior part of a ship

water that seeps or leaks in, collects there, and becomes stagnant and dirty

also bilge water

4. Slang

worthless or silly talk or writing; nonsense

verb transitiveWord forms: bilged or ˈbilging

to damage the bottom of (a ship) so that water enters

verb intransitive

to suffer such damage

Word origin of 'bilge'

var. of bulge

Example sentences containing 'bilge'

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The bilge pump would take care of the disposal problems provided the Greenpeace types weren't looking. Terman, Douglas CORMORANT (2003)The builders of Night Watch had contrived to place the diesel engine in the most inaccessible part of the bilge. Terman, Douglas CORMORANT (2003)

Then it was just a matter of how big the leak was versus the efficiency of Thorn's bilge pump. James W. Hall BLACKWATER SOUND (2003)