foremast

[ fawr-mast, -mahst, fohr-; Nautical fawr-muhst, fohr- ]

/ ˈfɔrˌmæst, -ˌmɑst, ˈfoʊr-; Nautical ˈfɔr məst, ˈfoʊr- /

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noun Nautical.

the mast nearest the bow in all vessels having two or more masts.

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Origin of foremast

First recorded in 1575–85; fore- + mast¹

Words nearby foremast

foreleg, forelimb, forelock, Forel's decussation, foreman, foremast, foremilk, foremost, foremother, forename, forenamed

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use foremast in a sentence

The chain communicated with a powerful crane rigged up on the foremast, and was wrought by a steam windlass on deck.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
The foremast is sprung, the main-topgallant mast is gone, and the mizzen has been snapped off close by the deck.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Five minutes later her foremast was cut in two and came tumbling down.
Stories of Our Naval Heroes|Various
A lookout cage, constructed of steel, was fitted on the foremast at a height of about 95 feet above the water line.
Loss of the Steamship 'Titanic'|British Government

I'll send him to Plymouth to get a new foremast, and to see the stranger in.
The Two Admirals|J. Fenimore Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for foremast

foremast

/ (ˈfɔːˌmɑːst, nautical ˈfɔːməst) /

noun

the mast nearest the bow on vessels with two or more masts

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012