Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - keel

(keels, keeling, keeled) 1. The keel of a boat is the long, specially shaped piece of wood or steel along the bottom of it. N-COUNT 2. If you say that someone or something is on an even keel, you mean that they are working or progressing smoothly and steadily, without any sudden changes. Jason had helped him out with a series of loans, until he could get back on an even keel. PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR