bowsprit

American  

[bou-sprit, boh-] / ˈbaʊ sprɪt, ˈboʊ- /

noun

Nautical.

1. a spar projecting from the upper end of the bow of a sailing vessel, for holding the tacks of various jibs or stays and often supporting a jib boom.

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bowsprit British  

/ ˈbəʊsprɪt /

noun

1. nautical a spar projecting from the bow of a vessel, esp a sailing vessel, used to carry the headstay as far forward as possible

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Etymology

Origin of bowsprit

1300–50; Middle English bouspret < Middle Low German bōchspret (cognate with Dutch boegsprit ) ( bōch bow ³ + spret pole, cognate with Old English sprēot )

Example Sentences

Instead, as he described himself, “I am merely the bowsprit of a ship that is going to cut through the armada of secrecy, corruption, and lies.”

From Slate • Oct. 10, 2023

But Dutreux said he didn’t see the American boat, which had the right of way, and crashed his bowsprit into the 11th Hour hull.

From Washington Times • Jun. 16, 2023

The 40-foot, two-handed boat Avalanche pulled out with a broken bowsprit shortly after the start and Yeah Baby was forced out with rudder damage after being hit by a sail fish late Monday.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 26, 2022

Fast and agile, he had a superior vertical leap and used his 7-foot-4 wingspan to block shots with his arm outstretched like a bowsprit.

From Washington Post • Jul. 31, 2022

At nine in the morning he eased off on the tiller, let the bowsprit come up into the wind, and the Frog slowed to a standstill.

From "The Voyage Of The Frog" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• nose
• prow