variants
or less commonly tops'l
1
: the sail next above the lowermost sail on a mast in a square-rigged ship
2
: the sail set above and sometimes on the gaff in a fore-and-aft rigged ship
Examples of topsail in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An hour later, Bernier was above deck on the topsail of the submarine with an M-60 machine gun.
—
BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2021
Help hoist the sails of the Schooner Freedom, a massive topsail schooner captained by John and Sarah Zaruba.
—Kara Franker, Southern Living, 30 June 2020
But nautical history buffs – and others – can sail on a replica of this 102-foot-long, square-rigged topsail sloop from its home at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven out into Lake Michigan until the end of September.
—Brian E. Clark, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 22 June 2018
Most people today associate billowing topsails with pirates.
—Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, 6 Mar. 2018
Moreland, who has more than 30 years experience sailing topsail schooners, brigantines, brigs and barques, as well as five world voyages under his belt, said the Picton Castle will be hosting a range of school groups on the vessel.
—Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, 6 Mar. 2018
BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2021
Help hoist the sails of the Schooner Freedom, a massive topsail schooner captained by John and Sarah Zaruba.
—Kara Franker, Southern Living, 30 June 2020
But nautical history buffs – and others – can sail on a replica of this 102-foot-long, square-rigged topsail sloop from its home at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven out into Lake Michigan until the end of September.
—Brian E. Clark, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 22 June 2018
Most people today associate billowing topsails with pirates.
—Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, 6 Mar. 2018
Moreland, who has more than 30 years experience sailing topsail schooners, brigantines, brigs and barques, as well as five world voyages under his belt, said the Picton Castle will be hosting a range of school groups on the vessel.
—Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, 6 Mar. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'topsail.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of topsail was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing topsail
Dictionary Entries Near topsail
Cite this Entry
“Topsail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topsail. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
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