beam sea

noun

, Nautical.

1. a sea striking the vessel at right angles to its keel.

Word History and Origins

Origin of beam sea¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Behind us the locomotives smoke stack rolled like a steamers funnel when a 298 beam sea is running.

From Project Gutenberg

Actually, I know there was a heavy beam sea running before a half-gale.

From Project Gutenberg

The ship did not behave well in a beam sea, for soon she shipped seas on either side, and she lost as much way as she made.

From Project Gutenberg

A southeast gale, a beam sea, and the tiny opening of the Jew's Mouth was a bad combination to face in a black night.

From Project Gutenberg

From time to time it careened like a blunt-nosed barge in a beam sea.

From Project Gutenberg