Definition

Verb (intransitive) 1. To change a sailing vessel's course by turning its bow into and through the direction of the wind. This is a nautical maneuver where a ship alters its direction by steering into the wind until the wind comes from the opposite side of the vessel.

Usage

This term is used specifically in the context of sailing and navigation. It describes the action performed by the vessel itself or by the sailors controlling it.

Examples

• Verb:
  • "The captain ordered the crew to wear round to avoid the approaching storm."
  • "In heavy seas, it can be dangerous for a large ship to wear round."
  • As the wind shifted, the yacht had to wear round to stay on course.

Advanced Usage

• "To wear ship": This is a synonymous phrase meaning to turn a sailing vessel away from the wind until the wind catches the sails on the opposite side, completing the change of direction. "Wearing round" is the action involved in "wearing ship."

Variants and Related Words

• Wear (verb, nautical): The act of turning a ship away from the wind. "Wear round" is a specific application of this nautical meaning of "wear."
• Tack (verb): A related but distinct sailing maneuver where a ship turns its bow the wind. "Tacking" and "wearing" are the two primary methods for changing direction relative to the wind.

Synonyms

• To tack (in the specific nautical sense of changing course by turning into the wind)
• To come about (though this more precisely describes the completion of a tack)
• To change tack (idiomatically derived from the sailing term)

Notes on Meaning

The phrase "wear round" has a highly specialized meaning limited to nautical terminology. It should not be confused with the more common verb "wear" meaning to have clothing on or to erode through use. In general English, this phrase is rarely encountered outside of sailing contexts.

Verb

1. turn into the wind
   • The sailors decided to tack the boat
   • The boat tacked