Noun
Wind filled the sails and our journey had begun.
raising and lowering the ship's sails
a sail to San Francisco Verb
We'll sail along the coast.
He sailed around the world on a luxury liner.
She sailed the Atlantic coastline.
She's sailing a boat in tomorrow's race.
The ship was sailed by a crew of 8.
I've been sailing since I was a child.
a ship that has sailed the seven seas
We sat on the shore watching boats sail by.
We sail at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
They sail for San Francisco next week.
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Noun
Cliffhanger is one of several rides and other activities on board the cruise line’s newest U.S. flagship, which set sail on its maiden voyage from Miami on April 12.—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 Set sail to Mayreau in late April for the small but mighty Mayreau Regatta that brings together sun, sand, and plenty of local food during a festive, four-day affair.—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
As part of its efforts under [Free and Open Indo-Pacific], [Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force] remains delighted to sail into friends' ports and help enhance openness thru various and collaborative interactions.—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025 Domestic life did not suit the 26-year-old young woman who had once sailed to China to preach the word of God.—Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sail
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English segl; akin to Old High German segal sail
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
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