verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˈkiːlhɔːl/
General-American:/ˈkiːlhɔl/
Australia:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To punish by dragging under the keel of a ship with the intent of causing painful injuries.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: nautical, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To rebuke harshly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Dutch kielhalen (“keelhaul”), from kiel (“keel”) + halen (“fetch; catch”).
Across languages
Translations
14 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Afrikaans:
kielhaal
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Danish:
kølhale
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Dutch:
kielhalen
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Faroese:
kjølhála
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Faroese:
kjøldraga
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Finnish:
vetää kölin alta
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
French:
donner la cale
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
German:
kielholen
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Hungarian:
hajó(tőke) alatti áthúzás
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Icelandic:
kjöldraga
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Norwegian Bokmål:
kjølhale
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Norwegian Nynorsk:
kjølhala
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Norwegian Nynorsk:
kjølhale
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship
Swedish:
kölhala
— punish by dragging under the keel of a ship