ENGLISH
REFERENCE

sail

n. · v.
US //ˈseɪɫ// UK //sˈeɪl// sail
  1. 1 fabric on a boat (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a large piece of strong cloth on a boat that uses the wind to make the boat move.

    a sheet of fabric, such as canvas or nylon, attached to a mast and spars to catch the wind and propel a vessel.

    Example

    The sailors raised the main sail as soon as they left the harbour.

    Example

    The crew struggled to trim the sails effectively as the wind shifted suddenly during the final leg of the regatta.
  2. 2 a trip on a boat (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a short journey or trip in a boat.

    an excursion or voyage in a sailing vessel or ship.

    Example

    We went for a quiet sail around the bay on Sunday afternoon.

    Example

    After a pleasant afternoon sail, the passengers returned to the pier just as the evening fog began to roll in.
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  1. 3 to travel by boat (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to travel on water in a ship or boat.

    to navigate or travel over water in a vessel, whether propelled by wind, steam, or engine.

    Example

    They plan to sail across the Atlantic Ocean next summer.

    Example

    The explorer intended to sail around the southern tip of the continent, despite warnings about the treacherous winter currents.
  2. 4 to begin a journey (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to start a journey by water at a specific time.

    to depart from a port or begin a maritime voyage; often used intransitively with a time or destination.

    Example

    The cruise ship sails at noon, so we must be on board by ten.

    Example

    The fleet is scheduled to sail for the Mediterranean at daybreak, provided the weather conditions remain favourable for the crossing.
  3. 5 to move smoothly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move quickly and smoothly through the air or through a room.

    to move in a stately, smooth, or effortless manner through the air or across a surface.

    Example

    The eagle sailed through the sky without flapping its wings.

    Example

    She sailed into the ballroom with such confidence that every guest stopped talking to watch her entrance.
  4. 6 windmill blade (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    one of the long flat parts of a windmill that the wind turns.

    the blade or arm of a windmill designed to catch the wind and generate mechanical power.

    Example

    The old wooden windmill had four large sails that turned slowly in the breeze.

    Example

    The restoration project focused on replacing the lattice sails to ensure the windmill could once again grind grain using traditional methods.
Etymology 1

From Middle English saile, sayle, seil, seyl, from Old English seġl, from Proto-West Germanic segl, from Proto-Germanic seglą. Cognate with West Frisian seil, Low German Segel, Dutch zeil, German Segel, Danish sejl, Swedish segel.

Etymology 2

From Middle English sailen, saylen, seilen, seilien, from Old English seġlan, siġlan (“to sail”), from Proto-West Germanic siglijan, from siglijaną. Cognate with West Frisian sile, Low German seilen, Dutch zeilen, German segeln, Danish sejle, Swedish segla, Icelandic sigla.

Word family
Idioms4 entries

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