1A piece of material extended on a mast to catch the wind and propel a boat or ship or other vessel.

所有的帆都扬起了。

1. 1.1mass noun The use of sailing ships as a means of transport.
   （用作交通工具的）帆船的使用
   this led to bigger ships as steam replaced sail

   轮船取代帆船使得更大的船产生了。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Initially, river transport was by sail and rowboat; mechanical means did not appear until the arrival of paddle-steamers in the early 1830s.
   • Powered by steam, not sail, this fire-breathing monster carved through the ocean at 12.4 knots and was covered in a thick hide of heavy armour.
   • Technologically she was a hybrid that straddled the eras of sail and steam.
   • Steam and iron eclipsed wood and sail in the 1850s.
   • Two were in the field of motive power both on land with the railways and also at sea where it replaced sail.
   • This is the transition from sail to steam, in other words, and the owners of the sailboat cartel aren't very happy.
   • The transition from sail to steam and the consequent reconfiguration of coasting figure prominently in the collection.
   • Fuel was heavy and expensive, and over long distances steam was no faster than sail.
   • To have the ship's company clearly visible on deck, or in the days of sail, aloft on the yards, meant that the guns were not manned.
   • Over the past three decades, O'Brian published 20 linked novels about the Royal Navy in the age of fighting sail.
   • While initially, the supply to mariners for rigging and ropes was steady, when sail gave way to steam the market failed.
   • He chooses to come to England by sail, not steamboat.
2. 1.2archaic A sailing ship.
   〈古〉帆船
   sail ahoy!

   喂，那条帆船呀！

2A wind-catching apparatus attached to the arm of a windmill.

1. 2.1 The broad fin on the back of a sailfish or of some prehistoric reptiles.
   （旗鱼或一些史前爬行动物的）脊鳍
   Example sentencesExamples

   • None developed the distinctive sail that distinguished many pelycosaur groups.
   • Accordingly, where the function of the sail is thermoregulatory, the spines in are not only thin, but can and do become thinner distally.
   • Some of these early reptiles had elaborate sails on the back.
   • Generally, the fish should not produce and use such vortex motion any more than a sailor should advance by blowing on a sail.
   • These spines would have formed a tall sail or crest.
   • Moreover, and to re-emphasize the theme of branching, pelycosaurs included three major subgroups, only two bearing sails on their backs.
2. 2.2 A structure by which an animal is propelled across the surface of water by the wind, e.g. the float of a Portuguese man-of-war.
   （僧帽水母等的）帆器
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Thus, in the early morning the animal could stand with its sail oriented toward the sun.
   • Traces of luminous iridescent blue on his back and sides, even on the sail feathers, highlight the otherwise golden image.

3A voyage or excursion in a ship, especially a sailing ship or boat.

他们乘帆船去旅行。

4Nautical
The conning tower of a submarine.

5South African A canvas sheet or tarpaulin.

1Travel in a boat with sails, especially as a sport or recreation.

伊恩把我们带出去，驾驶帆船在湖上航行。

1. 1.1with adverbial Travel in a ship or boat using sails or engine power.
   （船）航行；扬帆行驶
   the ferry caught fire sailing between Caen and Portsmouth

   渡船在卡昂和朴次茅斯间航行时着火了。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Eight years later two armed Russian ships sailed along the Hamgyong coast and killed a few Korean civilians before leaving the region.
   • Despite sailing on a ship that rocks more than a bobble-head doll, most Sailors aboard MCMs refuse to serve on any other ship.
   • Many of the crew had never sailed before with female sailors on board, so it was a new experience for all.
   • The Scottish Marine Vessel Nikki has completed her work in the harbour and has sailed to her home port.
   • The Windstar cruise ship that I sailed on used the same exact anchorage, which is off the island of Santorini.
   • A flotilla of more than 50 boats, yachts and lifeboats surrounded the magnificent ship as it sailed majestically into its home port.
   • The average British sailor of those times was not very literate, and often his world was encompassed by the ship he sailed in, sometimes for years at a time.
   • The weekend was rounded off by a Families Day, with the ship sailing back from Shoreham to Portsmouth to prepare for summer leave.
   • OC Chehaitly was able to discover that Hayel had been one of a 19-strong crew on a fishing boat which had sailed from Yemen two weeks previously.
   • Navy vessels and spotter aircraft were also deployed by the British Government to monitor the BNFL ships as they sailed off the Irish coast.
   • After the exercise the ship will sail to Palermo where she will berth with the rest of the STANAVFORMED warships.
   • The ship sailed for the Caribbean, but the infamous mutiny off Tonga resulted in Captain Bligh and a small party of loyal seamen being forced into a small boat, in which they made an epic journey to Timor.
   • Sblt Tielens sailed with the ship from his home port in Cairns to Darwin as part of the sailing ship's circumnavigation of the globe.
   • Crew predicted the mission to the bottom of the world would prove hazardous even before the survey ship sailed from Portsmouth last October.
   • The assault ship, which has sailed for Exercise Argonaut in the Mediterranean, attracted thousands of visitors when she called at her affiliated town of Scarborough.
   • Clipper ships sailed around South America and into the Pacific, carrying prospectors and immigrants.
   • It will be the first time that the ship has sailed with the Duke's pennant flying.
   • Amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark has sailed for her first training programme under the White Ensign.
   • Both British naval officers assumed that the engines were in working order as the ship had sailed at speed to Montevideo to escape the Ajax and Achilles.
   • It takes time for ships to sail from their home ports to deployment areas.

   Synonyms

   go by water, go by sea, go on a sea voyage, voyage, steam, navigate, cruise, ride the waves
2. 1.2with adverbial Begin a voyage; leave a harbour.
   起航；开船
   the catamaran sails at 3:30

   双体船3时30分起航。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The Taiwan boat and its two Taiwanese crew sailed from a port in Fujian and stayed at sea because of engine problems.
   • As we sailed away from the harbour I realised how I was very fortunate to be one of the lucky few to be embarking on the challenge that lay ahead.
   • I joined Tarawa the day before she sailed from Pearl Harbour and, after a short mystery tour to find my cabin, set about trying to find employment.
   • It was from here that Captain Cook sailed on the epic voyage which led to the discovery of Australia.
   • The British fleet is now long gone from Malta: in 1979, H.M.S. London sailed out of Valletta harbour and the link between the Royal Navy and Malta came to an end.
   • But then the unthinkable happened; the boat sailed off without him.
   • The cruise ship Aurora was last night due to sail on her next voyage, just hours after docking in Southampton.
   • The 75-metre boat was due to sail from her home port of Stromness for the last time today.
   • Ships of the RAN will sail from Sydney Harbour to rendezvous with our international visitors off the coast.
   • The ship, which sailed on February 11 to take up the job of Atlantic Patrol Task is expected back on August 18.
   • There are skippers sailing out of Peterhead harbour on every trip knowing they have to clear more than #8000 each month before they move into profit from their voyage.
   • In 1903, after being granted leave of absence for rest and recreation, she sailed for Japan on June 11 that year.
   • MEP Alyn Smith, sailed out of Mallaig harbour after signing up for a 48-hour fishing trip.
   • This time it was China's turn, as a naval battle group of the People's Liberation Army, the largest ever to visit, sailed out of the harbour.
   • The ship left Fleet Base West in June, 2004 and deployed to Darwin for a month of intensive crew training, before sailing for the East Asian deployment.
   • The two ships sailed from Britain at the end of the summer, expecting to complete a maritime deployment which would bring them home in time for Christmas.
   • The hardship that every Navy couple endures when faced with deployment was compounded by a medical diagnosis made just days before the ship sailed.

   Synonyms

   set sail, put to sea, put out (to sea), leave port, leave dock, leave harbour, hoist sail, raise sail, weigh anchor, put off, shove off
3. 1.3with object Travel by ship on or across (a sea) or on (a route)
   在…上面航行
   plastic ships could be sailing the oceans soon

   塑料船不久就可以在海上航行了。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • That ship could sail the sea of Storms if it had to.
   • It profiles more than 250 ships now sailing the high seas and previews liners preparing for maiden voyages.
   • Granuaile sailed the seas of Clew Bay and beyond in the 16th century and was known far and wide for her fearless attempts to hold on to the ancient Gaelic way of life.
   • The Tokugawa shoguns forbade the building of any ships large enough to sail the open ocean, and no one was allowed to leave the country.
   • However, it also led to fewer targets as many merchant ships in the area refused to sail the Sea of Marmora.
   • The QE2 is a regular visitor and some of the Silversea ships, said to be the most expensive cruise ships sailing the oceans, make Dubai a regular port of call.
   • Since then, the number of ships sailing a Gulf of Alaska itinerary has grown to at least a dozen in 2004.
   • Cruises are available that go beyond the typical cruise you'd expect to find sailing the seven seas.
   • It had been fun, pretending to be a captain of a great ship that sailed the high seas.
   • More likely he sailed the seas as trader or humble fisherman.
   • It's a disgrace that British-flagged ships should sail the seas carrying British exports but the crews are foreign.
   • Nobody should wish it any harm because, among others, its ship sails the oceans protecting whales and dolphins, seals and fish from over-exploitation.
   • A year later, his cooking had him sailing the seas on a cruise ship, where he worked as a galley steward.
   • Power boats, he says, rely solely on an engine for propulsion and usually are not stable enough for sailing open seas.
   • If you ever get the chance to sail the seven seas on one of those deluxe cruise ships and admire the shiny modern interior, you could be looking at product from Pattaya.
   • And their plan is to continue with the following cruise, and that ship will be probably the cleanest ship sailing the ocean.
   • It wasn't until these areas were charted, the dangers known, and markets for goods discovered that private ships sailed the ocean to move goods around the planet.
   • The author provides readers with a way to travel around the world that recalls an earlier era - namely, sailing the high seas.

   Synonyms

   go by water, go by sea, go on a sea voyage, voyage, steam, navigate, cruise, ride the waves
4. 1.4with object and adverbial of direction Navigate or control (a boat or ship)
   驾驶（船）
   I stole a small fishing boat and sailed it to the Delta

   我偷了一只小渔船，驾驶船来到三角洲。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The evidence of Mr. Andersson and Mr. Leander was that sailing the Yacht with the existing rig and an unmodified keel was not unsafe.
   • The last I heard she was slowly sailing her yacht around Europe, a gargantuan task taking many summers.
   • It has also been alleged that the Burgers did not have the necessary papers and skipper's tickets to sail the yacht, which was apparently not insured.
   • With a crewed charter, you don't have to worry about breakdowns or provisioning or getting checked out to sail the boat.
   • Looking forward to a few days sailing his yacht, moored off the island of Phuket, Crasnianski set sail into the Straits of Malacca on Christmas Day.
   • But McLucas has other thoughts for the Queen's jubilee weekend - he will be sailing his yacht in the Firth of Clyde.
   • After some years as a Naval Officer, he was given nine months leave to sail his yacht, Tern II, out to New Zealand.
   • Did you know that Keith is actually going to sail his yacht in the Sydney to Hobart race?
   • All tastes are catered for: you can sail a luxury yacht, play golf and dress up for dinner, or you can simply wander down to your local beach shack, sink a few Red Stripes and join an impromptu game of cricket.
   • Lo and behold Jane is forced to believe when one dreary night Captain Hook sails his ship above London and snatches Jane away under the assumption that it's Wendy!
   • Then Mr. Clegg sailed the Yacht with his wife and family on board on a cruise lasting about eight days to Falmouth, Alderney and back to Poole.
   • Mr and Mrs Roger-Lund and their 16-year-old son, Lee, plan to sail the yacht in the Cape to Rio race in 1976.
   • And I'm thinking how lucky we passengers are to get to help sail a tall ship - even if it's only for a morning trip.
   • Many of her crew sail the ship in the film or were hired to train the cast in the running of the ship.
   • Mr Green, 59, said he started sailing when he needed to get away from it all and helped sail a yacht from Greece to Holland, and hasn't looked back since.
   • Taylor said it was also the last time the liner's captain, Roger Knight, will sail a ship out of a port.
   • The user may choose from a variety of ships, or may sail a custom-made vessel.

   Synonyms

   steer, captain, pilot, skipper, navigate, con, helm

2with adverbial of direction Move smoothly and rapidly or in a stately or confident manner.

球靠近右侧门柱飞进网窝。

1. 2.1sail throughinformal Succeed easily at (something, especially a test or examination)
   〈非正式〉顺利通过（尤指测验或考试）
   Ali sailed through his exams

   阿里顺利通过了考试。

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Since starting self-defence classes at the age of four, the lad caught the eye of instructors by sailing through tests for 32 different belts, to reach the black.
   • Bill C - 43 sails through the house, with everyone except the Bloc voting for the Bill.
   • But playing mixed presenting doubles with Sue Barker will probably be a doddle for the towering hardbody, who effortlessly sails through one of the busiest schedules in sports broadcasting.
   • But while the legislation was sailing through the House, Robert Mugabe - Zimbabwe's thuggish president - was muscling his opposition.
   • Up next, while it may be smooth sailing through the Senate for Colin Powell, are there confirmation battles ahead for other Bush administration nominees?
   • I was lazy at school but usually sailed through exams with minimal revision and maximum guilt and stress.
   • The client requests the change and feels she's done her part - and your design, which was perfect all along, sails through to approval.
   • Sarah Hayat, 19, admits she sailed through most of her schooling, taking exam success for granted.
   • If you've got access to computers, books, educational trips plus time and help from your parents, you are far more likely to sail through the exam process.
   • One I particularly like concerns a Los Angeles teacher who found that one of her brighter pupils had been helping someone slower to sail through his exams.
   • Then, in the most bizarre political claim of the year, Stephen Harper claimed that the gay marriage law lacked legitimacy because it was sailing through with the support of the Bloc.
   • The child in state care who then gets good A-levels, sails through university and works productively is a rarity.
   • Pupils can sail through peripheral subjects, but test them in the only ones which matter and they fall apart.
   • He's bright, as sharp as the shirt and tie he always wears and sails through exams with an annoying degree of self-confidence.
   • Despite the festive season, both boxers registered their weights within the required limit and sailed through their medical tests.
   • So it will be obvious if many kids in a state fail the national exam but sail through on the state one.
   • He has not had to do that because the teenager sails through life on an even keel, barely tipped in either direction by success or failure.
   • In contrast, 46-year-old David Bull, a PADI instructor from Northants, sails through the tests and barely breaks into a sweat.
   • Now, he is expected to offer those plans as an energy bill amendment, which could easily sail through the Senate.

   Synonyms

   succeed easily at, gain success in easily, pass easily, romp through, walk through
2. 2.2sail intoinformal Attack physically or verbally with force.
   〈非正式〉猛击；痛骂，猛烈抨击
   Example sentencesExamples

   • February 1968: With Kerry aboard, the Gridley sails into war to patrol the coast of Vietnam.

   Synonyms

   attack, set upon, set about, fall on, assault, assail, tear into, weigh into, lay into, light into, pitch into, turn on, lash out at, hit out at, strike out at, (let) fly at, lash, round on, drub, thump, batter, hammer, pummel, beat, paste, thrash, belabour, lambaste, berate, abuse

   informal let someone have it

   British informal have a go at