a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel an ocean trip taken for pleasure any structure that resembles a sail traverse or travel on (a body of water); "We sailed the Atlantic"; "He sailed the Pacific all alone" move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions; "The diva swept into the room"; "Shreds of paper sailed through the air"; "The searchlights swept across the sky" travel on water propelled by wind

How many definitions does sail have?

Sail has 7 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

Sail Definition & Meaning

sail

noun

a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
an ocean trip taken for pleasure
any structure that resembles a sail

verb

traverse or travel on (a body of water); "We sailed the Atlantic"; "He sailed the Pacific all alone"
move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions; "The diva swept into the room"; "Shreds of paper sailed through the air"; "The searchlights swept across the sky"
travel on water propelled by wind; "I love sailing, especially on the open sea"; "the ship sails on"
travel on water propelled by wind or by other means; "The QE2 will sail to Southampton tomorrow"

Synonyms for sail

"Sail" in song lyrics

See how sail is used in real songs:

"Your doomed to sail"
Aceyalone — The Hurt
"As a matter of basic principle next I set my boat a sail"
Aesop Rock — Fascination
"That's right, on any beat we sail"
A.G. f/ Big Pun, KRS-One — Drop it Heavy

Words that rhyme with sail

See all rhymes for sail →

Usage tips for "sail"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "sail" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for sail to find words that pair well.

Use "sail" in a verse

Now that you know what "sail" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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Frequently asked questions

What does sail mean?: a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel an ocean trip taken for pleasure any structure that resembles a sail traverse or travel on (a body of water); "We sailed the Atlantic"; "He sailed the Pacific all alone" move with sweeping, effortless, gliding motions; "The diva swept into the room"; "Shreds of paper sailed through the air"; "The searchlights swept across the sky" travel on water propelled by wind
What part of speech is sail?: Sail is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does sail have?: Sail has 7 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).