nautical

adjective

nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯ-ti-kəl 

ˈnä-

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

a dictionary of nautical terms

nautical flags

nautical skills

nautically

ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˈnä-

adverb

Synonyms of nautical

• navigational
• naval
• marine
• maritime

Examples of nautical in a Sentence

a dictionary of nautical terms

collected sextants and other antique nautical equipment

Recent Examples on the Web

The Federal Aviation Administration prohibits all aircraft operations, including drone flights, within a 3-nautical-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet above ground level around certain stadiums hosting World Cup matches. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

The business is applying its existing background in maritime logistics, vessel assembly, and nautical systems integration to adapt the technology for aquatic environments. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026

The firm regularly sold maps to individuals associated with the Dépôt de la Marine, an official repository of maps for the French Navy, including nautical maps of Boston Harbor sent shortly after the start of the war. —April White, JSTOR Daily, 17 June 2026

To evoke nautical rope at the bar, the team replicated its weave in cork, an effect discernible only by touch. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nautical

• nautical mile

Rhymes for nautical

• aeronautical
• astronautical

Kids Definition

nautical

adjective

nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯt-i-kəl 

ˈnät-

: of or relating to sailors, navigation, or ships

nautically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Latin nauticus "nautical," from Greek nautikos (same meaning), from nautēs "sailor," from naus "ship" — related to astronaut, nausea see Word History at nausea