Gybe/dʒaɪb/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Sailing Term Used specifically in sailing to describe a technical maneuver involving the sail. During the regatta, each team had to gybe skillfully. Pro Tip 2/3Change Direction Emphasizes the change of course or direction of a sailboat. We needed to gybe to avoid the approaching storm. Pro Tip 3/3Wind Influence The action is performed to take advantage of wind direction in sailing. The captain decided to gybe to harness the strong westerlies.