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seamanship

American  
[see-muhn-ship] / ˈsi mənˌʃɪp /

noun

  1. knowledge and skill pertaining to the operation, navigation, management, safety, and maintenance of a ship.

seamanship British  
/ ˈsiːmənʃɪp /

noun

  1. skill in and knowledge of the work of navigating, maintaining, and operating a vessel

"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

Etymology

Origin of seamanship

First recorded in 1760–70; seaman + -ship

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.

Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said in December that damage to submarine infrastructure had become "so frequent" that it cast doubt on the idea the damage could be considered "accidental" or "merely poor seamanship".

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2025

My initial entry onto the FV Pinnacle was not one to inspire confidence in the seamanship of this reporter.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 3, 2022

Dozens of recommendations were laid out in a report regarding how to improve seamanship training, navigation, and use of ship equipment.

From Fox News • Jan. 9, 2022

The Virginia Tech touring group comprising players, coaches, staff and administrators stepped onto a Yard Patrol craft designed to teach midshipmen about navigation and seamanship.

From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2021

Before we were allowed aboard the Rena, Dad delivered a series of lectures about navigation, tides, the magnetic compass, seamanship, rope-splicing, right-of-way, and nautical terminology.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.