sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
Synonyms of sailornext
1
a
: one that sails
especially : mariner
b(1)
: a member of a ship's crew
(2)
: seaman sense 2b
2
: a traveler by water
3
: a stiff straw hat with a low flat crown and straight circular brim

Synonyms of sailor

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Examples of sailor in a Sentence

He worked as a sailor on a cargo ship. the sailors were glad to be arriving in port after their long voyage
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But soon their perfect love is put to test, as Asle, a sailor, is inexorably drawn by the call of the sea. — Annika Pham, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 In one of the incidents, the Chinese coast guard allegedly wounded a Philippine sailor by striking him in the head with a baton, according to the Philippine military. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026 Commanders lauded the crew's superb performance, with 22 sailors earning their prestigious submarine warfare insignia. — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, located about 10 miles north of downtown San Diego, serves as the headquarters of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and is home to more than 15,000 Marines, sailors and civilian personnel. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sailor

Word History

Etymology

alteration of sailer

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sailor was in 1577

Phrases Containing sailor

Rhymes for sailor

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Browse Nearby Words

sail needle
sailor
sailor's-choice
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Cite this Entry

“Sailor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sailor. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sailor

noun
sail·​or ˈsā-lər How to pronounce sailor (audio)
: a person who sails : seaman

More from Merriam-Webster on sailor

Nglish: Translation of sailor for Spanish Speakers

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