What does strake mean?
A strake is a longitudinal row of planks, plates, or comparable structural pieces joined edge to edge. Its best-known use is in shipbuilding, where the hull is strengthened and enclosed by successive strakes running along the vessel's length. Each individual plank forms part of a strake, but the word normally refers to the row rather than to one board. Strakes can also occur in other large timber structures, including warehouses, barges, and traditional wooden buildings. The term is consequently specialized and most common in technical writing about boats, ships, and historic construction. Although it is related in origin to words such as 'streak' and 'strike,' a strake is not a visual mark: it is a physical line of joined construction pieces. In general speech, 'row of planks' is the clearer modern alternative.
nounA longitudinal row of planks, plates, or similar structural pieces joined edge to edge, especially in a ship's hull or another large wooden structure.
- A longitudinal row of planks, plates, or similar pieces joined edge to edge, especially in a ship's hull.
"The shipwright replaced the damaged hull strakes before the vessel was launched."
"Each hull strake was carefully fitted to the frame beneath it."
"The old timber building had several rows of sturdy strakes running along its walls."
The plural is used when referring to multiple rows of planks or plates in a hull or other structure.
"The original strakes were removed and replaced with durable oak."
In shipbuilding, a strake is not a single plank but the whole longitudinal row in which that plank belongs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strake come from?
The word descends through Middle English from Old English stræc, a Germanic term associated with a line or streak. It belongs to a wider Indo-European family of words connected with drawing, tracing, or marking a line. Its specialized shipbuilding sense developed from this older meaning of a visible line or row.
How strake is actually used
The word is now mainly specialized, especially in shipbuilding, timber construction, and the description of historical wooden vessels. It is more technical than the general word 'row' and should not be used for a single plank unless that plank is being identified as one member of a strake.
Easily confused with strake
A streak is a narrow mark or band on a surface, whereas a strake is a structural row of planks or plates.