Definition of: haul

(hôl) v.t.
1. To pull or draw with force; drag.
2. To transport as if by pulling, as in a truck or cart.
3. Naut. To shift the course of (a ship), especially so as to sail nearer the wind.
—v.i.
4. To drag or pull.
5. To shift in direction: said of the wind.
6. To change one's views or course of action.
7. Naut. To change course, especially so as to sail nearer the wind. See synonyms under DRAW.
—to haul off
1. To draw back the arm so as to deliver a blow.
2. Naut. To change course so as to move further away from an object.
—to haul up
1. To come to a stop.
2. Naut. To sail nearer the wind.
—noun
1. A pulling with force.
2. That which is obtained by hauling.
3. The drawing of a fish net.
4. The amount of fish caught in a single drawing of a net.
5. The distance over which anything is hauled. ♦ Homophone: hall. [<OF haler <Gmc.]