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Definition of mainsail

mainsail

/ˈmeɪn.səl/
main · sail
Plural:mainsails
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mainsail Lexical Profile

mainsail Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The principal sail of a sailing vessel, specifically the sail set on the after side of the mainmast in a fore-and-aft rigged vessel, or the lowest sail on the mainmast in a square-rigged vessel.

Example

"As the wind picked up favorably, the crew worked together to hoist the mainsail and set a course for the open ocean."

• Nearby Words

mainly
mainmast
mains
mainsail
mainspring
mainstage
mainstay

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the combination of 'main' (principal or primary) and 'sail', denoting the largest and most important sail on a ship's mainmast.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mainsail. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mainsail
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