topmast

American

[top-mast, -mahst, top-muhst] / ˈtɒpˌmæst, -ˌmɑst, ˈtɒp məst /

noun

Nautical.

the mast next above a lower mast, usually formed as a separate spar from the lower mast and used to support the yards or rigging of a topsail or topsails.

topmast British

/ ˈtɒpməst, ˈtɒpˌmɑːst /

noun

the mast next above a lower mast on a sailing vessel

"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

Etymology

Origin of topmast

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Dunmore’s mizzenmast, cracked by shot, collapsed, and took with it the main topmast.

From Literature

In that city she wowed crowds by diving 72ft from the topmast of a steamship.

From BBC

Apparently the foremast was intact, since it was the main topmast stay that had parted under the strain.

From Project Gutenberg

With the topmast came a raffle of gear, including the wireless aerials.

From Project Gutenberg

Without pausing for breath my guide literally jumped into the topmast shrouds, and before I had attempted to follow he was perched upon the crosstrees.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023