sail: Meaning and Definition of

sail

1. an area of canvas or other fabric extended to the wind in such a way as to transmit the force of the wind to an assemblage of spars and rigging mounted firmly on a hull, raft, iceboat, etc., so as to drive it along.
2. some similar piece or apparatus, as the part of an arm that catches the wind on a windmill.
3. a voyage or excursion, esp. in a sailing vessel: They went for a sail around the island.
4. a sailing vessel or ship.
5. sailing vessels collectively: The fleet numbered 30 sail.
6. sails for a vessel or vessels collectively.
7. (cap.)the constellation Vela.
8. with the sails set.
9. Make sail for the Leeward Islands.
1. to set the sail or sails of a boat or increase the amount of sail already set.
2. to set out on a voyage:Make sail for the Leeward Islands.
10. to start a sea voyage:Nantucket. We set sail at midnight for
11. to cut expenses; economize: We're going to have to trim our sails if we stay in business.
12. with sails set; in motion; sailing: It was good to be under sail in the brisk wind and under the warm sun.

1. to move along or travel over water: steamships sailing to Lisbon.
2. to manage a sailboat, esp. for sport.
3. to begin a journey by water: We are sailing at dawn.
4. to move along in a manner suggestive of a sailing vessel: caravans sailing along.
5. to move along in a stately, effortless way: to sail into a room.

1. to sail upon, over, or through: to sail the seven seas.
2. to navigate (a vessel).
3. He would sail into his staff when work was going badly.
1. to go vigorously into action; begin to act; attack.
2. to attack verbally:He would sail into his staff when work was going badly.