Illustration of sail
- 1 flying jib
- 2 jib
- 3 forestaysail
- 4 foresail
- 5 fore gaff-topsail
- 6 main-topmast staysail
- 7 mainsail
- 8 main gaff-topsail
1
a(1)
: an extent of fabric (such as canvas) by means of which wind is used to propel a ship through water
(2)
: the sails of a ship
b
plural usually sail
: a ship equipped with sails
2
: an extent of fabric used in propelling a wind-driven vehicle (such as an iceboat)
3
: something that resembles a sail
especially
: a streamlined conning tower on a submarine
see also under sail
sailed; sailing; sails
1
a
: to travel on water in a ship
b
: yacht
2
a
: to travel on water by the action of wind upon sails or by other means
b
: to move or proceed easily, gracefully, nonchalantly, or without resistance
My father sailed through Harvard in three years …—
Roger Angell
Roger Angellthe bill sailed through the legislature
c
: to move through the air
the ball sailed over his head
3
: to begin a water voyage
sail with the tide
1
a
: to travel on (water) by means of motive power (such as sail)
sail the ocean
b
: to glide through
2
: to direct or manage the motion of
sail a ship
see also sail into
Examples of sail in a Sentence
Noun
Wind filled the sails and our journey had begun.
raising and lowering the ship's sails
a sail to San Francisco
Verb
We'll sail along the coast.
He sailed around the world on a luxury liner.
She sailed the Atlantic coastline.
She's sailing a boat in tomorrow's race.
The ship was sailed by a crew of 8.
I've been sailing since I was a child.
a ship that has sailed the seven seas
We sat on the shore watching boats sail by.
We sail at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
They sail for San Francisco next week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2025
The cruise industry is growing, with a record number of Americans expected to set sail for the fourth year in a row in 2026.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade sets sail on a theme called Yacht Rock of Ages this year.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sail
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.
Noun
The name draws inspiration from The Odyssey, Gruber explained, a nod to the journey Ulyssia’s residents will take as the vessel sails around the world.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2025
The cruise industry is growing, with a record number of Americans expected to set sail for the fourth year in a row in 2026.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
Verb
Look at the nuclear submarines the Russians have who might want to sail towards the US coast.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade sets sail on a theme called Yacht Rock of Ages this year.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sail
Cite this Entry
“Sail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sail. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sail
1 of 2 noun
ˈsā(ə)l 
as last element in compounds often səl
1
a
: a sheet of fabric (as canvas) used to catch wind to move a craft through water or over ice
b
: the sails of a ship
under full sail
c
plural usually sail
: a ship with sails
2
: something like a sail
3
: a journey by ship
sail
2 of 2 verb1
: to travel on water in a ship
sail the seas
2
: to travel by a sailing craft
3
: to move or glide along
sailed into the room
4
: to manage the sailing of
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share