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top·sail | \ ˈtäp-ˌsāl 
, -səl \
, -səl \variants:
or less commonly tops'l \ ˈtäp-səl \
\Definition of topsail
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 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.
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Brian E. Clark, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Tall ship Friends Good Will, lighthouses highlight visit to southwest Michigan," 22 June 2018 Most people today associate billowing topsails with pirates.
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Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, "Meet the captains sailing tall ships into New Orleans in April," 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.
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Jennifer Larino, NOLA.com, "Meet the captains sailing tall ships into New Orleans in April," 6 Mar. 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'topsail.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for topsail
topsail
nountop·sail | \ ˈtäp-ˌsāl , -səl \
, -səl \Kids Definition of topsail
1 : the sail next above the lowest sail on a mast in a square-rigged ship
2 : the sail above the large sail on a mast in a ship with a fore-and-aft rig
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Time Traveler for topsail
The first known use of topsail was in the 14th century
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