topmast

[ top-mast, -mahst; Nautical top-muh st ]

/ ˈtɒpˌmæst, -ˌmɑst; Nautical 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.

Words nearby topmast

topknot, topless, topline, toplofty, topman, topmast, topmaul, topminnow, topmost, topneck, topnotch

Origin of topmast

First recorded in 1475–85; top¹ + mast¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for topmast

Mr. Brandon raised his hand, and a ball of bunting at the topmast fluttered out into the Cross of St. George.
Daughters of the Revolution and Their Times|Charles Carleton Coffin
I lost no time in calling Bob, and as soon as he came upon deck we got our gaff-topsail down and our topmast housed.
For Treasure Bound|Harry Collingwood
“Here comes Midshipman Green,” they all exclaimed, as they saw my head appearing between the topmast shrouds.
My First Cruise|W.H.G. Kingston
When the topmast is carried still higher by the addition of a third, it receives the name of top-gallant-mast.
The Illustrated London Reading Book|Various

Masts: The masts of a full-rigged three-masted ship are the following: Fore-mast, topmast, topgallant-mast, royal mast.
Anson's Voyage Round the World|Richard Walter

British Dictionary definitions for topmast

topmast

/ (ˈtɒpˌmɑːst, nautical ˈtɒpməst) /

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