Definition Definition

sail - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'sail' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Sail [ n.]
- An extent of canvas or other fabric by means of which the wind is made serviceable as a power for propelling vessels through the water.
- Anything resembling a sail, or regarded as a sail.
- A wing; a van.
- The extended surface of the arm of a windmill.
- A sailing vessel; a vessel of any kind; a craft.
- A passage by a sailing vessel; a journey or excursion upon the water.
- To be impelled or driven forward by the action of wind upon sails, as a ship on water; to be impelled on a body of water by the action of steam or other power.
- To move through or on the water; to swim, as a fish or a water fowl.
- To be conveyed in a vessel on water; to pass by water; as, they sailed from London to Canton.
- To set sail; to begin a voyage.
- To move smoothly through the air; to glide through the air without apparent exertion, as a bird.
2 . Sail [ v. t.]
- To pass or move upon, as in a ship, by means of sails; hence, to move or journey upon (the water) by means of steam or other force.
- To fly through; to glide or move smoothly through.
- To direct or manage the motion of, as a vessel; as, to sail one's own ship.

Meaning of 'sail' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . sail [ v]
Meaning (1):
- traverse or travel on (a body of water)
Example in sentence:
  • He sailed the Pacific all alone;
  • We sailed the Atlantic
Meaning (2):
- travel on water propelled by wind
Example in sentence:
  • I love sailing, especially on the open sea;
  • the ship sails on
Meaning (3):
- move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions
Example in sentence:
  • Shreds of paper sailed through the air;
  • The diva swept into the room;
  • The searchlights swept across the sky
Meaning (4):
- travel on water propelled by wind or by other means
Example in sentence:
  • The QE2 will sail to Southampton tomorrow

Nearby Words:

sai saibling saic said saiga saikyr sailable sailboat sailcloth sailed

See 'sail' also in:

Dictionary.com Google Translator Wikipedia.com Merriam Webster

Related Definitions

  • Presail
    Presail refers to the time prior to a ship getting under way used to prepare for at-sea events.

Categories

Browse Dictionary