CLOSE-HAULED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does close-hauled mean? 

• CLOSE-HAULED (adjective)
  The adjective CLOSE-HAULED has 1 sense:

1. having the sails trimmed for sailing as close to the wind as possible

  Familiarity information: CLOSE-HAULED used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLOSE-HAULED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having the sails trimmed for sailing as close to the wind as possible

Similar:

close (at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other)

Domain category:

navigation; sailing; seafaring (the work of a sailor)

 Context examples 

The boat was close-hauled on a fresh breeze and the compass indicated that we were just making the course which would bring us to Japan.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

A heavy surf thundered and burst over an outjutting rock; lowering storm-clouds covered the sky; and, outside the line of surf, a pilot-schooner, close-hauled, heeled over till every detail of her deck was visible, was surging along against a stormy sunset sky.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

I came on deck to find the Ghost heading up close on the port tack and cutting in to windward of a familiar spritsail close-hauled on the same tack ahead of us.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Running off before the wind with everything to starboard, he came about, and returned close-hauled on the port tack.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)