1
or less commonly fairleader
: a block, ring, or strip of plank with holes that serves as a guide for the running rigging or any ship's rope and keeps it from chafing
2
: a course of running ship's rope that avoids all chafing
Examples of fairlead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This hunk of billet aluminum solves both problems by providing a closed shackle mount that’s designed to fit snug with the winch’s fairlead.
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Wes Siler, Outside Online, 12 Nov. 2020
Wes Siler, Outside Online, 12 Nov. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fairlead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near fairlead
Cite this Entry
“Fairlead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fairlead. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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