spinnaker

[ spin-uh-ker ]
/ ˈspɪn ə kər /

noun Nautical.

a large, usually triangular sail carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind or when the wind is abaft the beam.

Origin of spinnaker

First recorded in 1865–70; said to be alteration of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail

Example sentences from the Web for spinnaker

British Dictionary definitions for spinnaker

spinnaker
/ (ˈspɪnəkə, nautical ˈspæŋkə) /

noun

a large light triangular racing sail set from the foremast of a yacht when running or on a broad reach

Word Origin for spinnaker

C19: probably from spin + ( mo) niker, but traditionally derived from Sphinx, the yacht that first adopted this type of sail