1. a sailing vessel with one or more triangular sails, used in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, especially by Arab and East African traders
Usage: nautical; often used in historical or regional contexts

Examples

• The merchant sailed his dhow across the Arabian Sea laden with spices.
• Ancient dhows were essential to trade routes between Africa and Asia.
• The museum displayed a model of a traditional dhow with its distinctive triangular sail.
• Fishermen still use small dhows along the East African coast.
• The dhow's design allowed it to navigate shallow coastal waters efficiently.