1. the highest sails on a square-rigged sailing ship, set above the royal sails
Usage: nautical

Examples

• The crew hoisted the skysails to catch every bit of wind.
• In favorable conditions, the ship’s skysails helped maximize speed.
• The captain ordered the skysails to be furled as the storm approached.
• Only experienced sailors were trusted to handle the skysails.
• The tall ship’s skysails billowed gracefully against the blue sky.