Meaning

(nautical) A piece of fabric attached to a boat and arranged such that it causes the wind to drive the boat along. The sail may be attached to the boat via a combination of mast, spars and ropes..

Definitions by Sense

1. (nautical) A piece of fabric attached to a boat and arranged such that it causes the wind to drive the boat along. The sail may be attached to the boat via a combination of mast, spars and ropes.
2. (nautical, uncountable) The concept of a sail or sails, as if a substance.
3. (uncountable) The power harnessed by a sail or sails, or the use of this power for travel or transport.
4. A trip in a boat, especially a sailboat.
5. (dated, plural "sail") A sailing vessel; a vessel of any kind; a craft.
6. (nautical) The conning tower of a submarine.
7. The blade of a windmill.
8. A tower-like structure found on the dorsal (topside) surface of submarines.

Example Sentences

When we haue laught to ſee the ſailes conceiue / And grow big bellied with the wanton winde; […]

Take in sail: a storm is coming.

Let's go for a sail.

Twenty sail were in sight.

"[…] The quay is upwards of 1,000 feet in length, and capable of accommodating more than 100 sail of traders; and there are generally a considerable number of vessels of from 40 to 300 tons burden, from various parts of the world, waiting to receive their cargoes."

So furious had been the gusts, that high buildings in town had had the lead stripped off their roofs; and in the country, trees had been torn up, and sails of windmills carried away; and gloomy accounts had come in from the coast, of shipwreck and death.

We caught three sails today.

Like an eagle […]soaring / / To weather his broad sails.

Word Forms

• sails
• sailing
• sailed

Synonyms for sail

Related Words

When Should You Use Sail?

Use sail when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions