full sail

American  

noun

1. all the sails of a vessel.

   All three ships had full sail set.

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adverb

1. with all sails set.

   The ship was moving ahead full sail.

2. rapidly; forcefully.

   He proceeded full sail despite our objections.

full sail British  

adverb

1. at top speed

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adjective

1. with all sails set

Other Word Forms

• full-sailed adjective

Etymology

Origin of full sail

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

By the time I looked up again, Marlene was charging off through the snow, chasing the dog away, trumpeting as she went, her trunk flailing, her ears in full sail.

From Literature

Privately he paid still more to the captain to make sure they would travel at full sail, no matter the weather.

From Literature

Among the vignettes arrayed across the background plane are a ship at full sail, another docked and being unloaded, a lighthouse and a sacrifice.

From The Wall Street Journal

The lawsuit also names LAFS’ Florida counterpart Full Sail University, its main owner James Heavener and two other business partners as defendants.

From Los Angeles Times

The Winter Park, Fla.-located Full Sail University, which teaches curriculum in entertainment-adjacent fields, also gets over $377 million per year in federal financial assistance, according to the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times