sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər 

1

a

: one that sails

especially : mariner

b(1)

: a member of a ship's crew

(2)

: seaman sense 2b

2

: a traveler by water

3

: a stiff straw hat with a low flat crown and straight circular brim

Synonyms of sailor

• mariner
• navigator
• seaman

Examples of sailor in a Sentence

He worked as a sailor on a cargo ship.

the sailors were glad to be arriving in port after their long voyage

Recent Examples on the Web

But the sailors were too numbed with the cold to attempt going forward to secure it. — CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

The helicopter crew brought the sailor to the Camarillo Airport. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Throughout the deployment, the Lincoln had between 2,500 and 2,800 sailors aboard, according to Cao's letter. — Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Alongside the sailor trousers and regimental outerwear were evening dresses with much softer proportions. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of sailer

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sailor

• sailor collar
• sailor's-choice
• sailor suit

Rhymes for sailor

• bailer
• bailor
• baler
• jailer
• jailor
• paler
• sailer
• scalar
• scaler
• tailor
• trailer
• whaler

Kids Definition

sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər 

: a person who sails : seaman