sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər 

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

• mariner
• navigator
• seaman

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

That sailor was transferred off the ship for further medical care, the official told NBC News. — Mosheh Gains, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026

More recently, the service told lawmakers that eight sailors attempted suicide while on the long deployment. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

But the vast majority took place on real warships, with working sailors. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Since July, at least nine sailors have died, 18 injured and three are missing, according to the International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of sailer

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing sailor

• sailor collar
• sailor's-choice
• sailor suit

Rhymes for sailor

• bailer
• bailor
• baler
• jailer
• jailor
• paler
• sailer
• scalar
• scaler
• tailor
• trailer
• whaler

Kids Definition

sailor

noun

sail·​or ˈsā-lər 

: a person who sails : seaman