Illustration of sail
- 1 flying jib
- 2 jib
- 3 forestaysail
- 4 foresail
- 5 fore gaff-topsail
- 6 main-topmast staysail
- 7 mainsail
- 8 main gaff-topsail
1
a(1)
: an extent of fabric (such 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 (such as an iceboat)
3
: something that resembles a sail
especially
: a streamlined conning tower on a submarine
sailed; sailing; sails
1
a
: to travel on water in a ship
b
: yacht
2
a
: to travel on water by the action of wind upon sails or by other means
b
: to move or proceed easily, gracefully, nonchalantly, or without resistance
sails through all sorts of contradictions—
Vicki Hearne
Vicki Hearnethe bill sailed through the legislature
c
: to move through the air
the ball sailed over his head
3
: to begin a water voyage
sail with the tide
1
a
: to travel on (water) by means of motive power (such as sail)
sail the ocean
b
: to glide through
2
: to direct or manage the motion of
sail a ship
Examples of sail in a Sentence
Noun
Wind filled the sails and our journey had begun.
raising and lowering the ship's sails
a sail to San Francisco
Verb
We'll sail along the coast.
He sailed around the world on a luxury liner.
She sailed the Atlantic coastline.
She's sailing a boat in tomorrow's race.
The ship was sailed by a crew of 8.
I've been sailing since I was a child.
a ship that has sailed the seven seas
We sat on the shore watching boats sail by.
We sail at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
They sail for San Francisco next week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 27 May 2025
After setting sail from Connecticut, the ship made it within a mile of the shoreline before a leak in the vessel dragged Goodsell and his small crew to their watery graves, according to the college.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 23 May 2025
Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Guests will sail aboard the luxurious and modern Amadeus Star, enjoying hotel-style comforts, gourmet cuisine, and private small-group excursions led by an experienced resident tour director.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sail
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Noun
Built to Spill are also playing Modest Mouse’s inaugural Psychic Salamander Festival in September, as well as the inaugural Ice Cream Floats cruise, which sets sail next February.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 27 May 2025
After setting sail from Connecticut, the ship made it within a mile of the shoreline before a leak in the vessel dragged Goodsell and his small crew to their watery graves, according to the college.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 23 May 2025
Verb
But then Betts misfired on a flip to second base, sailing the ball over teammate Tommy Edman’s head to put runners on the corners.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Guests will sail aboard the luxurious and modern Amadeus Star, enjoying hotel-style comforts, gourmet cuisine, and private small-group excursions led by an experienced resident tour director.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sail
Cite this Entry
“Sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sail. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sail
1 of 2 noun
ˈsā(ə)l 
as last element in compounds often səl
1
a
: a sheet of fabric (as canvas) used to catch wind to move a craft through water or over ice
b
: the sails of a ship
under full sail
c
plural usually sail
: a ship with sails
2
: something like a sail
3
: a journey by ship
sail
2 of 2 verb1
: to travel on water in a ship
sail the seas
2
: to travel by a sailing craft
3
: to move or glide along
sailed into the room
4
: to manage the sailing of
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