sailboat
UK: ˈseɪl.bəʊt | US: ˈseɪl.boʊt
n. a boat propelled by sails
n. a small to medium-sized vessel designed for sailing
The word "sailboat" is a straightforward compound of "sail" (from Old English segl, meaning "fabric used to catch wind for propulsion") and "boat" (from Old English bāt, meaning "small vessel"). The combination reflects the functional design of the vessel—a boat powered by sails. This compounding pattern is common in English for describing hybrid or specialized objects (e.g., "airplane," "motorboat").
They spent the afternoon racing their sailboat on the lake.
The sailboat glided smoothly across the water with the wind at its back.
He built a small sailboat from scratch in his garage.
A sailboat requires skill to maneuver in changing winds.
The harbor was filled with colorful sailboats during the regatta.