: to travel on water by the action of wind upon sails or by other means. b. : to move or proceed easily, gracefully, nonchalantly, or without resistance. sails through all sorts of contradictions Vicki Hearne.

Sailing employs the wind—acting on sails, wingsails or kites—to propel a craft on the surface of the water (sailing ship, sailboat, raft, windsurfer, or kitesurfer), on ice (iceboat) or on land (land yacht) over a chosen course, which is often part of a larger plan of navigation. Sailing craft and their rigs.

[uncountable] the sport or activity of travelling in a boat with sails. to go sailing.