noun. The distance between the water line and the edge of the upper deck of a boat or ship.

noun. The distance between normal water level and the top of a structure or mass that rises out of the water, such as a buoy, dam, or ice floe.

noun. A margin of ground, specified in some cases as two and a half feet in width, in other cases much more, claimed beyond or outside of a fence which incloses a place, as a park or forest.

noun. The vertical distance between the waterline and the uppermost watertight deck of a vessel.

noun. The distance between a water level and the top of something that contains or restrains it (such as a dam).

noun. The distance between the top of sea ice and the water level.

"That she was low "between decks" is demonstrated by the fact that it was necessary to "cut down" the Pilgrims 'shallop -- an open sloop, of certainly not over 30 feet in length, some 10 tons burden, and not very high "freeboard" -- "to stow" her under the MAY-FLOWER'S spar deck."

freeboard deck  

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