sail

sail¹ S3 [seıl] v

1.) [I always +adverb/preposition, T]

to travel on or across an area of water in a boat or ship

sail across/into/out of etc

▪ the first Europeans to sail across the Atlantic

▪ Three tall ships sailed past.

▪ She always wanted to sail around the world .

sail the Pacific/the Atlantic etc

▪ We're taking two months off to sail the Caribbean.

2.)

to start a journey by boat or ship

▪ We sail at dawn.

sail for

▪ They're sailing for Antigua next week.

3.) [I and T]

to direct or control the movement of a boat or ship that has a sail

▪ Blake sailed the ship safely through the narrow passage.

▪ My father taught me to sail.

4.) [I always +adverb/preposition]

to move quickly and smoothly through the air

sail through/over/into etc

▪ A ball came sailing over the fence.

5.) [I always +adverb/preposition]

to move forwards gracefully and confidently

▪ She sailed into the room.

6.) sail close to the wind

[i]BrE to do or say something that is nearly wrong, illegal, or dishonest

sail through [sail through sth] phr v

to succeed very easily in a test, examination etc

▪ Adam sailed through his final exams.

sail ²

sail² n

[: Old English; Origin: segl]

1.) a large piece of strong cloth fixed onto a boat, so that the wind will push the boat along

▪ a yacht with white sails

hoist/lower the sails

(=put the sails up or down)

2.) set sail

to begin a journey by boat or ship

set sail for/from

▪ The following week the 'Queen Elizabeth' set sail for Jamaica.

3.) under sail

literary moving along on a ship or boat that has sails