nautical

adjective nau·ti·cal \ ˈnȯ-ti-kəl , ˈnä- \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: nautical in a Sentence

Definition of nautical

: of, relating to, or associated with seamen, navigation, or ships

a dictionary of nautical terms

nautical flags

nautical skills

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nautically

play \ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē, ˈnä-\ adverb

See nautical defined for English-language learners

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Examples of nautical in a Sentence

a dictionary of nautical terms
collected sextants and other antique nautical equipment

Recent Examples of nautical from the Web

There is always a wait for a seat at the bar or one of the tables in the tiny dining room decorated in nautical shades of white and blue with plenty of mirrors.

— korsha wilson, Bon Appetit, "We Needed Our Routine. And We Needed a Lobster Roll.," 6 June 2018
The Coast Guard says the devices are valuable and most likely are being sold to nautical novelty stores or scrap yards.

— Fox News, "Coast Guard blows whistle on thieves of buoy bells, gongs," 1 June 2018
The films include a backstage melodrama (The Stormy Man), a boxing picture (The Winner), a nautical adventure (The Eagle and the Hawk), and a family musical (The Green Music Box).

— ben sachs, Chicago Reader, "Film / Foreign Discover the work of noted Japanese genre director Umetsugu Inoue," 30 May 2018
The growing marine traffic is problematic in regions that are relatively shallow, particularly for ships that continue to rely on 100-year-old nautical charts, according to the IMO.

— margaret kriz hobson, Scientific American, "Amid Ice Melt, New Shipping Lanes Are Drawn Up off Alaska," 29 May 2018
Finally in March, in a sit-down restaurant right next to the north branch of the Chicago River, with a nautical theme that stems from her love of sailing, and a menu that hits every craving, McCabe found her home at last.

— ina pinkney, chicagotribune.com, "Interurban Boathouse, Frunchroom and Coffee Joint: Ina's best bets for breakfast this month," 23 May 2018
Antonio Martins’ modern decor features a warm palette with custom art that subtly references nautical themes.

— jeanne cooper, San Francisco Chronicle, "Suite Spot: Inn Above Tide, Sausalito," 16 May 2018
The nautical theme rang throughout, with chic vertical and horizontal stripes taking over the runway, along with uniform-like sets and straw sun hats.

— mara balagtas, Condé Nast Traveler, "Chanel Outdoes Itself Again With Cruise-Themed Fashion Show," 4 May 2018
Sources and inspirations seem to include Jackson Pollock, Jules Olitski, African textiles, American Indian symbols and things nautical.

— roberta smith, martha schwendener, will heinrich and jillian steinhauer, New York Times, "What to See in New York Art Galleries This Week," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nautical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of nautical

Latin nauticus, from Greek nautikos, from nautēs sailor, from naus ship — more at nave

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1552

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

nautical Synonyms

Synonyms

marine, maritime, navigational;

Related Words

naval;

oceangoing, seafaring, seagoing;

hydrographic, oceanographic (also oceanographical);

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

NAUTICAL Defined for English Language Learners

nautical

adjective

Definition of nautical for English Language Learners

: relating to ships and sailing

NAUTICAL Defined for Kids

nautical

adjective nau·ti·cal \ ˈnȯ-ti-kəl \

Definition of nautical for Students

: of or relating to sailors, navigation, or ships

Learn More about nautical

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nautical Spanish Central: Translation of nautical Nglish: Translation of nautical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of nautical for Arabic speakers

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nautical

Definition of nautical

nautically

Examples of nautical in a Sentence

Recent Examples of nautical from the Web

Origin and Etymology of nautical

nautical Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Nautical Terms

NAUTICAL Defined for English Language Learners

nautical

Definition of nautical for English Language Learners

NAUTICAL Defined for Kids

nautical

Definition of nautical for Students

Learn More about nautical

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