yardarm

American

[yahrd-ahrm] / ˈyɑrdˌɑrm /

noun

Nautical.

either of the outer portions of the yard of a square sail.

yardarm British

/ ˈjɑːdˌɑːm /

noun

nautical the two tapering outer ends of a ship's yard

"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 yardarm

First recorded in 1545–55; yard ¹ + arm 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 sun’s over the yardarm if I’m not cruelly mistaken.

From New York Times

Twenty-two canvas sails were lashed into place on the yardarms above us.

From Salon

It had a famous navy battle cry - “Don’t Give Up The Ship” - flying from the port yardarm.

From Reuters

When 70 is the new 50, it's still cocktail hour when the sun crosses the yardarm.

From Washington Post

“The sun is over the yardarm,” the doctor said happily.

From Literature

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