sail
The definition of a sail is a strong sheet of fabric attached to a boat used to catch and use wind to move the boat forward in water.
(noun)An example of a sail is how Christopher Columbus' ship moved through the ocean.
Sail is defined as to move, float or glide smoothly through water or air, or to move quickly.
(verb)- An example of sail is a bird gliding on a headwind in the sky.
- An example of sail is to finish a three hour task in one hour.
See sail in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- any of the shaped sheets of canvas or other strong material spread to catch or deflect the wind, by means of which some vessels and some land vehicles are driven forward
- sails collectively
- a sailing vessel or vessels
- a trip in a ship or boat, esp. one moved by sails
- anything like a sail, as an arm of a windmill
Origin: ME seil, sail < OE segl, akin to Ger segel, prob. ult. < IE base *sek-, to cut > L secare, to cut, segmentum, segment
intransitive verb
- to be moved forward by means of a sail or sails
- to be moved forward on water by mechanical means such as a propeller
- to move upon or travel by water: said of a vessel or its passengers
- to begin a trip by water
- to manage a sailboat, as in racing or cruising
- to glide, float, or move steadily through the air
- to move smoothly and with dignity, like a ship in full sail
- Informal to move quickly
- ☆ Informal to begin vigorously; throw oneself (into) with energy
- ☆ Informal to attack, criticize, or reprimand someone severely: with into
Origin: ME seilen < OE seglian < the n.
transitive verb
- to move through or upon (a body of water) in a boat or ship
- to manage or navigate (a boat or ship)
See sail in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Nautical a. A piece of fabric sewn together and fitted to the spars and rigging of a vessel so as to convert the force of the wind into forward motion of the vessel.b. The sails of a ship or boat.c. The superstructure of a submarine.
- pl. sail or sails Nautical A sailing vessel.
- Nautical A trip or voyage in a sailing craft.
- Something, such as the blade of a windmill, that resembles a sail in form or function.
- Nautical a. To move across the surface of water, especially by means of a sailing vessel.b. To travel by water in a vessel.c. To start out on such a voyage or journey.d. To operate a sailing craft, especially for sport.
- To move along or progress smoothly or effortlessly: sailed into the room five minutes late; sailed through the exam; sailed through the red light.
Nautical
- To navigate or manage (a vessel).
- To voyage upon or across: sail the Pacific.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English seil
Origin: , from Old English segl
Origin: . Sail into
Origin: , from obsolete sail, to attack
Origin: , from Middle English sailen
Origin: , short for assailen; see assail
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