- 1[intransitive, transitive] (of a boat or ship or the people on it) to travel on water using sails or an engine (+ adv./prep.) to sail into harbor The boat sailed smoothly across the lake. The ferry sails from Port Townsend to Keystone. one of the first people to sail around the world sail something to sail the Atlantic
- 2go sailing [intransitive, transitive] to control or travel on a boat with a sail, especially as a sport We spent the weekend sailing off the south coast. Do you go sailing often? sail something She sails her own sailboat. He managed to sail the boat between the rocks.
- 3[intransitive] (of a boat or ship or the people in it) to begin a trip on water We sail at 2 p.m. tomorrow. sail for something He sailed for the Bermudas from Rhode Island.
- 4[intransitive] + adv./prep. to move quickly and smoothly in a particular direction; (of people) to move in a confident manner clouds sailing across the sky The ball sailed over the goalie's head. She sailed past me, ignoring me completely. Idioms
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NAmE//seɪl//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they sail he / she / it sails
past simple sailed
-ing form sailing
to take a risk by doing something that is dangerous or that may be illegal Phrasal Verbssail through
Check pronunciation: sail