headsail

noun

head·​sail ˈhed-ˌsāl How to pronounce headsail (audio)
-səl
: a sail set forward of the foremast

Examples of headsail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Goussev and Lhamon were the main drivers, Hearsey McKay was a master trimmer and ran the headsails, and Buell – who was able to only sail the first leg – did foredeck work, which includes taking down and putting up the correct sails. Alexa Philippou, The Seattle Times, 14 July 2018 Beside me, my friend Peter did a similar dance with the headsail. Simon Peter Groebner, chicagotribune.com, 6 June 2018 Nate Frizzell is trimming the headsails while Carson Turowski is working the bow aboard Dusty, which posted a pair of thirds and finished no worse than seventh in posting a low score of 26 points on Friday. baltimoresun.com, 4 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'headsail.' 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

1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of headsail was in 1625

Dictionary Entries Near headsail

Cite this Entry

“Headsail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/headsail. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

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