mainsail
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of mainsail
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at main 1, sail
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ordinary maneuvers such as tacking and gybing—both of which involve swinging the mainsail from one side of the vessel to the other—are arduous for the solo sailor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026
Fisher said he and Mettraux were under cover in the cockpit while sailing downwind with one reef in the mainsail when the boat nose-dived into a large wave and they heard a loud bang.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 11, 2021
My father’s practice of sailing into the wind to raise or lower the mainsail?
From Washington Post ● Sep. 6, 2017
They have built four stationary cycling stations into each hull to tap leg power instead of traditional arm power from the grinders to power the hydraulic systems that control the wing mainsail and the daggerboards.
From New York Times ● Jun. 18, 2017
We climb high enough to reach the mainsail.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
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