FOREMAST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does foremast mean? 

• FOREMAST (noun)
  The noun FOREMAST has 1 sense:

1. the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts

  Familiarity information: FOREMAST used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FOREMAST (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("foremast" is a kind of...):

mast (a vertical spar for supporting sails)

 Context examples 

We were very comfortable, and the inadequate shears, with the foremast suspended from them, gave a business-like air to the schooner and a promise of departure.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

On the 10th of April, 1710, we arrived safe at Amsterdam, having lost only three men by sickness in the voyage, and a fourth, who fell from the foremast into the sea, not far from the coast of Guinea.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

'Up with the jib, reef the tops'l halliards, helm hard alee, and man the guns!' roared the captain, as a Portuguese pirate hove in sight, with a flag black as ink flying from her foremast. 'Go in and win, my hearties!' says the captain, and a tremendous fight began. Of course the British beat—they always do.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

By means of the watch-tackle (I had made a new one), I heaved the butt of the foremast across the rail and then lowered it to the deck.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

A derrick-boom, rigged to the foremast, had accomplished this; and several days more found all stays and shrouds in place, and everything set up taut.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

In the morning, after several trials, I found the point of balance in the foremast and attached my hoisting tackle a few feet above it.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

And I wondered if she, too, felt it, as we walked along the deck side by side to where the stalled foremast hung in the shears.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

How great the risk I realized when I was once more buried beneath the pounding seas and clinging for life to the pinrail at the foot of the foremast.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The day following I was desperate, and I rafted together the foremast, the fore and main booms, and the fore and main gaffs.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

While I toiled at rigging the foremast, Maud sewed on canvas, ready always to drop everything and come to my assistance when more hands than two were required.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)