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.

some similar piece or apparatus, as the part of an arm that catches the wind on a windmill.

a voyage or excursion, esp. in a sailing vessel

They went for a sail around the island.

a sailing vessel or ship.

sailing vessels collectively

The fleet numbered 30 sail.

sails for a vessel or vessels collectively.

( initial capital letter ) Astronomy . the constellation Vela.

to move along or travel over water

steamships sailing to Lisbon.

to manage a sailboat, esp. for sport.

to begin a journey by water

We are sailing at dawn.

to move along in a manner suggestive of a sailing vessel

caravans sailing along.

to move along in a stately, effortless way

to sail into a room.

to sail upon, over, or through

to sail the seven seas.

to navigate (a vessel). ?

sail in or into, Informal .

to go vigorously into action; begin to act; attack.

to attack verbally

He would sail into his staff when work was going badly.

in sail

with the sails set.

make sail

Nautical .

to set the sail or sails of a boat or increase the amount of sail already set.

to set out on a voyage

Make sail for the Leeward Islands.

set sail

to start a sea voyage

We set sail at midnight for Nantucket.

trim one's sails

Informal . to cut expenses; economize

We're going to have to trim our sails if we stay in business.

under sail

with sails set; in motion; sailing

It was good to be under sail in the brisk wind and under the warm sun.

verb

boat , captain , cast anchor , cast off , cross , cruise , dart , drift , embark , flit , float , fly , get under way , leave , make headway , motor , move , navigate , pilot , put to sea , reach , run , scud , set sail , shoot , skim , skipper , skirr , soar , steer , sweep , tack , voyage , weigh anchor , wing , bolt , bucket , bustle , dash , festinate , flash , fleet , haste , hasten , hurry , hustle , pelt , race , rocket , scoot , scour , speed , sprint , tear , trot , whirl , whisk , whiz , zip , zoom , flap , flitter , flutter , glide , roll , canvas , embark.--n. sailing , embarkation , excursion , gaff , jib , journey , keel , lateen , sheet , trip

phrasal verb

go at , tackle , wade in , aggress , assail , assault , beset , fall on , have at , storm , strike