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
: a traveler by water
3
: a stiff straw hat with a low flat crown and straight circular brim

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
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For much of the 20th century in the United States, tattoos were associated with rebellion and criminality — linked to prisoners, gangs and subcultures, as well as servicemen like sailors and soldiers. Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026 And that was really for the doctors and nurses who took care of the families of soldiers and sailors and whatnot. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026 Men traveled the seas as whalers and sailors, bringing back knowledge from across continents. Reginald David, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026 Navy Exchanges, ship’s stores and Navy Lodges became familiar touchpoints for sailors navigating the demands of military life. Robert J Bianchi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

sailor

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

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