sail

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 (of a boat or ship or the people on it) to travel on water using sails or an engine: [V, usually +adv./prep.] to sail up the coast / into harbour * The dinghy sailed smoothly across the lake. * The ferry sails from Newhaven to Dieppe. * one of the first people to sail around the world * [VN] to sail the Atlantic 2 (also go sailing) to control or travel on a boat with a sail, especially as a sport: [V] We spent the weekend sailing off the south coast. * Do you go sailing often? * [VN] She sails her own yacht. * He managed to sail the boat between the rocks. 3 [V] (of a boat or ship or the people in it) to begin a journey on water: We sail at 2 p.m. tomorrow. * He sailed for the West Indies from Portsmouth. 4 [V+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 sail close to the wind to take a risk by doing sth that is dangerous or that may be illegal PHRASALVERBS sail through (sth) to pass an exam, a test, etc. without any difficulty noun 1 [C,U] a sheet of strong fabric which the wind blows against to make a boat or ship travel through the water: As the boat moved down the river the wind began to fill the sails. * a ship under sail (= using sails) * in the days of sail (= when ships all used sails) * Mrs Healy moved away like a ship in full sail (= with all its sails spread out). * The vessel can be propelled by oars or sail (= sails). 2 [sing.] a trip in a boat or ship: We went for a sail. * a two-hour sail across the bay 3 [C] a set of boards attached to the arm of a WINDMILL IDIOMS set sail (from / for...) (formal) to begin a trip by sea: a liner setting sail from New York * We set sail (for France) at high tide. moreatTRIMv., WINDn.