Meaning & use
scantlings
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“scantlings” is a form of “scantling”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounusually pluraltechnical
Small, narrow pieces of timber or metal used as structural parts in a building or ship.
Grammar: Usually plural; a single piece is a scantling.
Patterns
- scantlings of timber
- scantlings in a ship
The old barn was held together by rough oak scantlings.
The shipwright measured the scantlings before fitting the deck.
Modern scantlings are often made of steel rather than wood.
nounpluraltechnical
The dimensions or measurements of such structural pieces, especially in shipbuilding.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun meaning a set of measurements.
Patterns
- the scantlings of a vessel
The engineer checked the scantlings of the hull against the plan.
The scantlings were too light for the load the bridge had to carry.
Word forms
| singular | scantling |
|---|
Common combinations
- oak scantlings
- The roof was supported by heavy oak scantlings.
- steel scantlings
- Steel scantlings replaced the rotten wooden ones.
- measure the scantlings
- The builder measured the scantlings twice before cutting.
- scantlings of timber
- A pile of scantlings of timber lay in the yard.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- scantling noun
- A single small piece of timber or metal used in construction.
Commonly confused: scantlings or scantling?
scantlings vs scantling
This is the singular form; 'scantlings' is the plural and is far more common.
Practice
The shipbuilder ordered several ___ of oak for the frame.
Choose one answer.
'Scantlings' is the usual plural form and fits after 'several'. 'Scantling' is singular and would need 'a' or 'one'. 'Scantlingses' is not a word, and 'scantling's' is a possessive, not a plural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “scantlings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.