sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
1
a
: one that sails
especially : mariner
b(1)
: a member of a ship's crew
2
: a traveler by water
3
: a stiff straw hat with a low flat crown and straight circular brim

Examples of sailor in a Sentence

He worked as a sailor on a cargo ship. the sailors were glad to be arriving in port after their long voyage
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sailors aboard the Aiviq and Kulluk exchanged worried messages. Mckenzie Funk, ProPublica, 23 Jan. 2025 Simmons cleverly folds this fact into his thriller, in which his cast of sailors must fight a bloodthirsty monster while also gradually going insane. Calum Marsh, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 The sailors must be meteorologists, engineers, mechanics, navigators, and problem solvers all the time. George Allen, Robb Report, 15 Jan. 2025 Though some moments were dramatized, Howard's film remained faithful to the horrific events the sailors endured. Emily Blackwood, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sailor 

Word History

Etymology

alteration of sailer

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sailor was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near sailor

Cite this Entry

“Sailor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailor. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

sailor

noun
sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
: a person who sails : seaman

More from Merriam-Webster on sailor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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