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sail
[ seyl ]
noun
- an area of canvas or other fabric extended to the wind in such a way as to transmit the force of the wind to an assemblage of spars and rigging mounted firmly on a hull, raft, iceboat, etc., so as to drive it along.
- some similar piece or apparatus, as the part of an arm that catches the wind on a windmill.
- a voyage or excursion, especially in a sailing vessel:
They went for a sail around the island.
- a sailing vessel or ship.
- sailing vessels collectively:
The fleet numbered 30 sail.
- sails for a vessel or vessels collectively.
- Sail, Astronomy. the constellation Vela.
verb (used without object)
- to move along or travel over water:
steamships sailing to Lisbon.
- to manage a sailboat, especially for sport.
- to begin a journey by water:
We are sailing at dawn.
- to move along in a manner suggestive of a sailing vessel:
caravans sailing along.
- to move along in a stately, effortless way:
to sail into a room.
verb (used with object)
- to sail upon, over, or through:
to sail the seven seas.
- to navigate (a vessel).
verb phrase
- Informal.
- to go vigorously into action; begin to act; attack.
- to attack verbally:
He would sail into his staff when work was going badly.
sail
/ seɪl /
noun
- an area of fabric, usually Terylene or nylon (formerly canvas), with fittings for holding it in any suitable position to catch the wind, used for propelling certain kinds of vessels, esp over water
- a voyage on such a vessel
a sail down the river
- a vessel with sails or such vessels collectively
we raised seven sail in the northeast
to travel by sail
- a ship's sails collectively
- something resembling a sail in shape, position, or function, such as the part of a windmill that is turned by the wind or the part of a Portuguese man-of-war that projects above the water
- the conning tower of a submarine
- in sailhaving the sail set
- make sail
- to run up the sail or to run up more sail
- to begin a voyage
- set sail
- to embark on a voyage by ship
- to hoist sail
- under sail
- with sail hoisted
- under way
verb
- to travel in a boat or ship
we sailed to Le Havre
- to begin a voyage; set sail
we sail at 5 o'clock
- (of a vessel) to move over the water
the liner is sailing to the Caribbean
- tr to manoeuvre or navigate a vessel
he sailed the schooner up the channel
- tr to sail over
she sailed the Atlantic single-handed
- often foll byover, through, etc to move fast or effortlessly
the ball sailed over the fence
we sailed through customs
- to move along smoothly; glide
- informal.often foll byin or into
- to begin (something) with vigour
- to make an attack (on) violently with words or physical force
Derived Forms
- ˈsailless, adjective
- ˈsailable, adjective
Other Words From
- saila·ble adjective
- sailless adjective
- un·saila·ble adjective
- un·sailed adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of sail1
Word History and Origins
Origin of sail1
Idioms and Phrases
- in sail, with the sails set.
- make sail, Nautical.
- to set the sail or sails of a boat or increase the amount of sail already set.
- to set out on a voyage:
Make sail for the Leeward Islands.
- set sail, to start a sea voyage:
We set sail at midnight for Nantucket.
- trim one's sails, Informal. to cut expenses; economize:
We're going to have to trim our sails if we stay in business.
- under sail, with sails set; in motion; sailing:
It was good to be under sail in the brisk wind and under the warm sun.
More idioms and phrases containing sail
- (sail under) false colors
- plain sailing
- set sail
- smooth sailing
- take the wind out of one's sails
- trim one's sails
Example Sentences
Some refugees wait for days on the ships before setting sail.
They get $8 million to dredge the channel for pleasure boats to sail to Catalina Island.
Then they set sail for open water, where they were assured someone would rescue them.
On August 22, some 88 ships set sail for the southern point of Brooklyn allowing more than 22,000 troops to begin their attack.
The turbulent waters caused one of his oars to crack, which—without a motor or a sail—can be severely detrimental to his voyage.
A lateen sail was visible in the direction of Cat Island, and others to the south seemed almost motionless in the far distance.
Let them that sail on the sea, tell the dangers thereof: and when we hear with our ears, we shall admire.
As it came near, it proved to be the clock, with a sail hoisted, and the Goblin sitting complacently in the stern.
That argument was not the one of least weight in the council in determining that our fleet should not sail against the enemy.
Accordingly, as soon as they saw our Priests they refused outright to let the ship sail if the Jesuits were to embark in it.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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