sailor

plural sailors · alternative obsolete sailour

1. A person who sails; one whose occupation is sailing or navigating ships or other waterborne craft.

   He's a talented sailor and has spent many years at sea.

   Synonyms: seafarer, seaman, mariner

   1. In particular, a member of the crew of a (civilian or military) vessel, as opposed to a captain, admiral, etc.; a mariner; a common seaman.

      Another sailor was taken into custody.

      2025 June 13, Rosa Flores, “Missing Navy sailor found dead in Virginia, another sailor in custody”, in CNN, archived from the original on 20 Jul 2025

      2 more examples

      Merchants, common sailors, captains of vessels, skippers, […] naval officers of all countries, and the Governments of several states on the two continents, were deeply interested in the matter.

      1873, Jules Verne, chapter I, in [anonymous], transl., Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Seas; […], James R. Osgood edition, Boston, Mass.: Geo[rge] M[urray] Smith & Co., →OCLC, part I, page 3

      Mary is a sailor dreaming of northern shores lost galleons on the sea Mary ever on her way

      2008, Cécile Corbel, “Mary”, in Songbook vol. 2 (CD), performed by Cécile Corbel, Brittany: Keltia Musique

      Synonyms: seafarer, seaman, mariner, jack, tar, jacktar

   2. A person who sails sailing boats (as opposed to boats powered by other means) as a sport or recreation.

      Synonyms: seafarer, seaman, mariner

   3. humorousA term of address supposedly used by prostitutes and flirtatious women towards men.

      Looking for a good time, sailor?

      1997, “The Cartridge Family”, in The Simpsons, season 9, episode 5

      1 more example

      "Can I offer you ladies a ride?" "That depends. Where ya headed, sailor?"

      2001, Elvira's Haunted Hills, spoken by Elvira (Cassandra Peterson)

      Synonyms: seafarer, seaman, mariner

2. Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genera Neptis, Pseudoneptis and Phaedyma, having white markings on a dark base and commonly flying by gliding.
3. A stiff straw hat with a flat, circular brim and a low, flat crown.

   Straw Sailors. Children's large-leaf straw sailors, in new shapes, smooth or rough straw . Sizes 6 to 64. 80c, $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00. Milan sailors in new, large shapes, with white or cream ribbon.

   1909, Albert E. Edgar, How to Advertise a Retail Store, Including Mail Order Advertising and General Advertising: A Complete and Comprehensive Manual for Promoting Publicity, page 332

   1 more example

   […]the trade that was done for some year in sailors for ladies. […] Developments of a fancifu nature in the brim formation in the direction of what is known as a "Breton" sailor, of which the characteristic is a slightly upturned edge, were the first to be made, […] But to-day, with the exception of straw sailors for girls and young ladies at school, there is very little demand for hats of this description.

   2023 October 20, Harry Inwards, Straw Hats: Their history and manufacture, Good Press

4. A brick, for example in a course of brickwork, that is laid vertically on its shortest end (smallest face), with its widest face facing the outside of the wall.

plural Sailors

1. A surname.