sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
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.
Tristan was a sailor who captained the school’s forty-foot yacht. Literary Hub, 18 June 2025 Read Next California Navy sailor killed answering unexpected knock in 2021, CA cops say. Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025 My late father-in-law fought at the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944, my late uncle was wounded at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, and my husband’s great uncle was a sailor whose warship was sunk by the Japanese in 1942 and whose headstone may be found in Manila. Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025 The family of Angelina Petra Resendiz, a Navy sailor who was found dead in Virginia this week, says they were not told about her disappearance — and want someone to take accountability for her death. Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 11 June 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 28 Jun. 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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