What does vela mean?
Vela is most familiar as the name of a compact southern constellation, one of the 88 constellations recognized in modern astronomy. Its name comes from the Latin word for “sail,” because its brightest stars were imagined as the sails of a larger ship; the ancient figure Argo Navis was later divided into several constellations, including Vela. In older nautical English, vela could also denote a light triangular sail and, more rarely, a fast-sailing vessel. Today the nautical meanings are uncommon compared with the astronomical proper name, which is normally capitalized. The word is useful as an example of how astronomy preserves very old descriptive imagery: a recognizable pattern of stars became a celestial “sail,” then an independent constellation with its own boundaries. It should not be confused with Vega, another bright star whose similar spelling can be troublesome in astronomical references.
nounVela is chiefly the name of a southern constellation whose brightest stars form a sail-like shape. In nautical use, it can also mean a light triangular sail or, historically, a fast-sailing vessel.
- The southern constellation Vela, originally representing the sails of the larger stellar figure Argo Navis.
- A light triangular sail, especially one used on a small boat.
- Historically, a fast-sailing vessel.
"The bright stars of Vela form one of the most recognizable patterns in the southern sky."
"After sunset, the bright stars of Vela stood out sharply against the southern sky."
"The sailor shortened the light triangular vela as the breeze freshened."
The regular plural is rare in modern usage because Vela is normally an uncountable proper name in astronomy and a specialized nautical term.
"The crew shortened the velas as the wind strengthened."
Vela is a sail that escaped its ship: a constellation split from Argo Navis and now sails alone through the southern sky.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vela come from?
The English astronomical name Vela comes from Latin vela, the plural form of velum, meaning “sail” and also “curtain,” because the stars were identified with a ship’s sails. The constellation was historically part of Argo Navis and was later separated into distinct constellations. Latin velum also underlies English cognates including velum, velar, and velarium.
How vela is actually used
The astronomical meaning is dominant and normally treats Vela as a proper noun, so it is capitalized. The nautical senses are uncommon in modern general English; the sense denoting a vessel is chiefly historical.
Easily confused with vela
Vega is the name of a bright star, whereas Vela is the name of an entire southern constellation.