mainsail

noun

: the principal sail on the mainmast see sail illustration

Examples of mainsail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The rig itself reflects the yard’s racing DNA, with a 78-foot Hall Spars carbon mast, a square-top mainsail of nearly 1,300 square feet, a gennaker of roughly 3,500 square feet, Harken Racing GP winches, and hydraulic transverse jib tracks. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 June 2025 In one instance, while 15 miles out to sea, the boat's mast spar broke and sent the mainsail toppling down. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2025 Even the most inspiring sea captains who command luxurious yachts across picturesque waters have to worry about employees who don’t hoist their share of the mainsail. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024 The crew shut down the electronics and hauled in the mainsail. Tomas Weber, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2024 Thanks to the hydraulics system, the mainsail can be hoisted and lowered on a wireless remote control. Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 The electric motor, which usually lifts the mainsail into place, had malfunctioned. Adam Iscoe, The New Yorker, 18 July 2022 The vessel is also equipped with a boom-less rig and sizable mainsail that pulls in even more power from the wind. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2022 In addition, the cat is equipped with twin 225 hp engines and a 1,722-square-foot mainsail that harnesses additional power from the wind for greater efficiency and fewer emissions. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 6 Dec. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mainsail was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Mainsail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mainsail. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

mainsail

noun
: the principal sail on the mainmast
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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