mainmast

American  

[meyn-mast, -mahst, meyn-muhst] / ˈmeɪnˌmæst, -ˌmɑst, ˈmeɪn məst /

noun

Nautical.

1. the second mast from forward in any ship having two or more masts, except for a yawl, ketch, or dandy.

2. the larger forward mast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy.

3. the sole mast of any of various ships, as sloops or cutters.

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mainmast British  

/ ˈmeɪnˌmɑːst /

noun

1. nautical the chief mast of a sailing vessel with two or more masts, being the foremast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy and the second mast from the bow of most others

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Etymology

Origin of mainmast

First recorded in 1475–85; main ¹ + mast ¹

Example Sentences

Everything was on fire from the mainmast forward, he said.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2024

For instance, Luebke adds, the President's flag has historically flown at the mainmast while a different flag for the Vice President is flown at the slightly shorter foremast.

From Time • Oct. 13, 2017

In the final pages, she nails her colours to the marital mainmast by putting on paper what she would have said in person.

From The Guardian • Jun. 17, 2017

Stedding went forward and roused Milnor, the South Carolinan, a young man of two or three and twenty, from his sleep at the foot of the mainmast, and called him aft.

From Scientific American • Aug. 11, 2011

Archer was on the mainmast, and the sun shone through the brittle sticks of his hair, turning them gold as sheaves of wheat.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee