# hull

/ˈhəɫ/ (US) · /hˈʌl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hull
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the main body or outer shell of a ship or boat. It is the part that sits in the water and keeps the vessel floating.

For teachers: the main body of a ship or other vessel, including the bottom, sides, and deck but excluding masts, engines, and rigging. In a mathematical context, it refers to the smallest convex set containing a given set of points.

## Examples

- The ship's hull is painted bright red.
- Inspectors found several small cracks in the wooden hull that required immediate repair before the ship could sail.
- Modern icebreakers are designed with a reinforced steel hull and a specific shape that allows the vessel to ride up onto the ice and crush it with its own weight.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in nautical contexts; in mathematics, it is often preceded by a descriptor like 'convex'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.