close-hauled

[ klohs-hawld ]

/ ˈkloʊsˈhɔld /

adjective, adverb Nautical.

as close to the wind as a vessel will sail, with sails as flat as possible; full and by.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!

Question 1 of 11

“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of close-hauled

First recorded in 1760–70

Words nearby close-hauled

close-by, close-cropped, close-fisted, close-fitting, close-grained, close-hauled, close-in, close-knit, close-lipped, close-order drill, close-reefed

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for close-hauled

In it is found for the first time the close-hauled line-of-battle undeniably adopted as the fighting order of the fleets.
The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783|A. T. Mahan
A vessel which is running free shall keep out of the way of a vessel which is close-hauled.
On Yacht Sailing|Thomas Fleming Day
A close-hauled ship comes up (to her course) as the wind changes in her favour.
The Sailor's Word-Book|William Henry Smyth
The Dolphin, close-hauled under larboard tack, stood towards the African coast.
Roger Willoughby|William H. G. Kingston

Close-hauled on the south-east trades, the Mary Turner began her long slant toward the Marquesas.
Michael, Brother of Jerry|Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for close-hauled

close-hauled

/ (ˌkləʊsˈhɔːld) /

adjective

nautical with the sails flat, so as to sail as close to the wind as possible

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012