Plimsoll line

9.0

A mark on a ship that shows the highest safe water level when loaded

noun
/ˈplɪm.səl laɪn/

Specialized

: línea de Plimsoll

If the water rises above the Plimsoll line, the ship is overloaded and in danger.

Examples

The Plimsoll line indicates how much cargo a ship can safely carry.
Inspectors checked the Plimsoll line before the vessel left port.
The Plimsoll line on the ship indicated that it could carry more cargo safely.
Look at the Plimsoll line!
If the water rises above the Plimsoll line, the ship is overloaded and in danger.
Inspectors checked the Plimsoll line before the vessel left port.
The Plimsoll line indicates how much cargo a ship can safely carry.

Synonyms

Plimsoll

vsPlimsoll line

Specialized

9.9

A painted line on a ship's hull showing the safe level to load it

is the fuller phrase used for the same hull safety mark

Plimsoll mark

vsPlimsoll line

Specialized

9.9

A painted line on the side of a ship that shows how high it can be safely loaded

is the shorter name for the same hull safety mark

load line

vsPlimsoll line

Specialized

6.7

A line on the side of a ship that shows how deep it can be safely loaded

is the named, visible mark used to show that same loading limit

Surface Forms

Plimsoll line singular

Plimsoll lines plural

Morphology

Plimsoll + line

The headword 'line' clearly signals a mark or division, so learners would infer this is some kind of marked line; however 'Plimsoll' is an eponymic proper name that does not transparently convey the specific maritime function of indicating maximum safe draft. The precise meaning (a safety waterline) therefore requires prior domain knowledge, making the expression only partially predictable.

Etymology

Plimsoll line is a painted mark on the side of a ship that shows how high the water can safely reach. If the water goes above the line, the ship is overloaded and 'in danger', so the mark helps sailors know the safe load.