Is 'three-master' still used for modern ships?

No. It is a historical term for sailing ships. Modern large vessels are powered by engines, not sails.

What's the difference between a 'three-master' and a 'barque'?

A 'barque' (or bark) is a specific type of three-master where the aft-most mast is fore-and-aft rigged, while the others are square-rigged. All barques are three-masters, but not all three-masters are barques.

Can I use 'three-master' in everyday conversation?

It would sound highly specialised or poetic. In most contexts, 'old sailing ship' or 'tall ship' would be more natural unless you are specifically discussing its rigging.

How do you pronounce it in American English?

It's pronounced /ˈθriˌmæstər/, with the 'a' in 'master' sounding like the 'a' in 'cat'.

Is “three-master” formal?

Three-master is usually historical, technical, literary in register.

three-master: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈθriːˌmɑːstə(r)/US/ˈθriˌmæstər/

Historical, Technical, Literary

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “three-master” mean?

A sailing ship with three masts.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A sailing ship with three masts.

Specifically refers to a large historical sailing vessel, typically a merchant ship or warship, distinguished by its three-masted rigging.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally historical in both variants.

Connotations

Evokes historical naval power, exploration, or the age of sail.

Frequency

Very low frequency in both, found primarily in historical texts, fiction, or specialized maritime contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “three-master” in a Sentence

The [ADJ] three-master sailed into the harbour.They served aboard a three-master.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

full-rigged three-mastertall three-masterhistoric three-master19th-century three-master

medium

sail a three-mastercaptain of a three-masterdeck of the three-master

weak

large three-masterbeautiful three-masterfamous three-master

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in historical, maritime, or literary studies.

Everyday

Extremely rare; used only with specific historical interest.

Technical

Precise term in historical ship classification and sailing.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “three-master”

Strong

barque barkship (in historical nautical context)

Neutral

three-masted shipfull-rigged ship

Weak

sailing ship tall ship windjammer

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “three-master”

single-masterschooner (typically two-masted)steamship motor vessel

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “three-master”

Using 'three-master' for any large old ship, regardless of mast count.
Using it in present-tense contexts about modern shipping.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. It is a historical term for sailing ships. Modern large vessels are powered by engines, not sails.
: A 'barque' (or bark) is a specific type of three-master where the aft-most mast is fore-and-aft rigged, while the others are square-rigged. All barques are three-masters, but not all three-masters are barques.
: It would sound highly specialised or poetic. In most contexts, 'old sailing ship' or 'tall ship' would be more natural unless you are specifically discussing its rigging.
: It's pronounced /ˈθriˌmæstər/, with the 'a' in 'master' sounding like the 'a' in 'cat'.
: A sailing ship with three masts.
: Three-master is usually historical, technical, literary in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“None directly associated with this specific term.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of the number THREE and a ship's MAST. A THREE-MASTER has three of them.

Conceptual Metaphor

HISTORICAL TRANSPORT (for ideas, trade, empire). A vehicle of a bygone era.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The maritime museum's centrepiece is a beautifully restored 19th-century .

Multiple Choice

What is the defining feature of a 'three-master'?