nautical

adjective

nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯ-ti-kəl 

ˈnä-

: of, relating to, or associated with sailors, navigation, or ships

a dictionary of nautical terms

nautical flags

nautical skills

nautically

ˈnȯ-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˈnä-

adverb

Synonyms of nautical

• navigational
• naval
• marine
• maritime

Examples of nautical in a Sentence

a dictionary of nautical terms

collected sextants and other antique nautical equipment

Recent Examples on the Web

The challenge required teams to transport as much weight as possible over the four-nautical-mile course. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

Behind the reception desk, a wall of 109 wooden pigeonholes doubles as an art installation, with some compartments displaying replicas of the property's original room keys and others filled with nautical relics reflecting Naples's coastal allure. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

As bridge construction and congestion swamp Greater Cincinnati, some travelers are shunning spans over the river and taking a more nautical commute. — Jennie Key, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2026

Houston’s tribute to the city’s car culture (a red slab leading the way onto the field), Minnesota picking up Norway’s nautical chant from the World Cup … and of course Tennessee fans singing Dolly Parton. — Jason Kirk, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin nauticus, from Greek nautikos, from nautēs sailor, from naus ship — more at nave

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nautical

• nautical mile

Rhymes for nautical

• aeronautical
• astronautical

Kids Definition

nautical

adjective

nau·​ti·​cal ˈnȯt-i-kəl 

ˈnät-

: of or relating to sailors, navigation, or ships

nautically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Etymology

from Latin nauticus "nautical," from Greek nautikos (same meaning), from nautēs "sailor," from naus "ship" — related to astronaut, nausea see Word History at nausea