spinnaker

UK: /ˈspɪnəkə/ US: (spin′ə kər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spin•na•ker  (spin′ə kər), n. [Naut.]

1. Nautical, Naval Terms 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.

• said to be alteration of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail 1865–70

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spinnaker / ˈspɪnəkə ˈspæŋkə/ noun

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

Etymology: 19th Century: probably from spin + ( mo) niker, but traditionally derived from Sphinx, the yacht that first adopted this type of sail