MAINSHEET

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does mainsheet mean? 

• MAINSHEET (noun)
  The noun MAINSHEET has 1 sense:

1. (nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind

  Familiarity information: MAINSHEET used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MAINSHEET (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(nautical) a line (rope or chain) that regulates the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

mainsheet; sheet; shroud; tack; weather sheet

Hypernyms ("mainsheet" is a kind of...):

line (something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible)

Domain category:

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

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mainsheet"):

futtock shroud (shroud that is part of a ship's rigging)

Holonyms ("mainsheet" is a part of...):

ship (a vessel that carries passengers or freight)

 Context examples 

The Ghost swung around into the wind, and I finished my work forward in time to run aft and lend a hand with the mainsheet.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“Stand by that jib with Johnson and Oofty! The rest of you tail aft to the mainsheet! Lively now! or I’ll sail you all into Kingdom Come! Understand?”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)