sail

¹sail

noun
\ˈsāl, as last element in compounds often səl\

Definition of SAIL

1

a (1) : an extent of fabric (as canvas) by means of which wind is used to propel a ship through water (2) : the sails of a ship b plural usually sail : a ship equipped with sails

2

: an extent of fabric used in propelling a wind-driven vehicle (as an iceboat)

3

: something that resembles a sail; especially : a streamlined conning tower on a submarine

4

: a passage by a sailing craft : cruise

— sailed \ˈsāld\ adjective

— under sail

: in motion with sails set

Examples of SAIL

1. Wind filled the sails and our journey had begun.
2. raising and lowering the ship's sails
3. a sail to San Francisco

Illustration of SAIL

Origin of SAIL

Middle English, from Old English segl; akin to Old High German segal sail

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SAIL

Synonyms: crossing, cruise, passage, voyage

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

Rhymes with SAIL

ail, ale, bail, bale, Bâle, brail, braille, Braille, dale, fail, flail, frail, Gael, gale, Gale, grail, hail, hale, jail, kale, mail, male, nail, pail, pale, quail, Quayle, rail, sale, scale, shale, snail, stale, swale, tael, tail, taille, tale, trail, vail, vale, veil, wail, wale, whale, Yale