This meaning refers to the watertight main structure of a vessel below and above the waterline.
The ship's hull was damaged by ice.
Workers painted the boat's hull.
This meaning refers to the protective outer layer surrounding certain seeds, grains, nuts, or fruits.
The machine removes the rice hulls.
Walnut hulls can stain the hands.
As a verb, hull means removing the leafy top, husk, or outer shell from food or crops.
The workers hulled the strawberries.
The machine hulls sunflower seeds.
This extended meaning refers to a large protective outer body or structural shell.
The aircraft hull absorbed the impact.
Only the concrete hull of the building remained.
