spinnaker

[spin-uh-ker]

noun

Nautical.

1. a large, usually triangular sail carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind or when the wind is abaft the beam.

spinnaker

/ ˈspæŋkə, ˈspɪnəkə /

noun

1. a large light triangular racing sail set from the foremast of a yacht when running or on a broad reach

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinnaker¹

First recorded in 1865–70; said to be alteration of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinnaker¹

C19: probably from _spin + ( _mo ) _niker , but traditionally derived from Sphinx, the yacht that first adopted this type of sail

Example Sentences

Lost Bay is a one day, single race regatta for mono-hull sailboats of at least twenty feet with both spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions.

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Two instructors, competitive sailors though barely older, demonstrated how to attach a lightweight spinnaker to sail off wind.

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You can only try to describe Avery’s colors, knowing in advance your attempts will crumple like a spinnaker turned into the wind.

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According to Chris Johnson, the With Grace skipper, Mueller accidentally stepped into a line that looped around his foot right as the spinnaker filled.

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“I like the colors of the kite,” she said, pointing to the pink, blue and purple spinnaker during a lull in the wind.

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