sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
Synonyms of sailornext
1
a
: one that sails
especially : mariner
b(1)
: a member of a ship's crew
2
: a traveler by water
3
: a stiff straw hat with a low flat crown and straight circular brim

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
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.
Ella is shocked to suddenly find Nick (Brown), a sailor and local Newport historian, aboard her schooner and accuses him of being a stowaway. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Dec. 2025 Any mug can swear like a sailor during a Broncos game. Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025 Eighteen sailors and three civilians died protecting the base. Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025 Further south, shipwrecked sailors were well advised to steer clear of the Diola of the Casamance, who would kill them on sight—until the Diola found out that the sailors could be ransomed. Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sailor

Word History

Etymology

alteration of sailer

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sailor was in 1577

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sailor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailor. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

sailor

noun
sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
: a person who sails : seaman

More from Merriam-Webster on sailor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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