noun
- Heavy weights or ballast, typically made of iron or lead, used to stabilize a ship or other vessel.
Usage: nautical; plural form; singular is kentledge; also spelled 'cant ledges' in some contexts
Examples
- The ship's kentledges were secured in the hold to maintain stability during the voyage.
- Sailors loaded kentledges onto the vessel to improve its balance in rough seas.
- The captain ordered the crew to check the kentledges before departure.
- Heavy kentledges were essential for keeping the old wooden ship upright.