topmast: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Extremely LowTechnical / Historical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “topmast” mean?
The second mast above the deck on a sailing ship, fixed to the top of the lower mast.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The second mast above the deck on a sailing ship, fixed to the top of the lower mast.
In sailing ship rigging, the mast that is stepped on the top of the lower mast and serves as the base for the topgallant mast. In modern usage, primarily historical, nautical, and literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in meaning. The term is identically used in both British and American nautical/historical contexts.
Connotations
Evokes the Age of Sail, historical navies (Royal Navy, US Navy), tall ships, maritime heritage, and adventure literature.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both varieties. More likely encountered in historical novels, maritime museums, or sailing enthusiast contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “topmast” in a Sentence
The [fore/main/mizzen] topmast + [verb: was rigged/shattered/replaced].To [verb: climb/secure/strike] the topmast.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, maritime, or archaeological studies discussing ship construction.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in sailing ship terminology, yacht restoration, and maritime history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “topmast”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “topmast”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “topmast”
- Using 'topmast' to refer to the highest mast on a modern ship (incorrect).
- Confusing 'topmast' with 'crow's nest' (which is a platform on the topmast).
- Pronouncing it as two separate words 'top mast'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely low-frequency word used only in specific historical, nautical, or literary contexts.
No, 'topmast' is exclusively a noun. There is no verbal form.
A 'mast' is a general term for a tall vertical spar. A 'topmast' is a specific section of a compound mast system on large sailing ships, attached to the top of the lower mast.
Most modern commercial and naval vessels do not. The term is primarily associated with the rigging of historical tall ships. Some modern sailing yachts or replica ships may use the term.
The second mast above the deck on a sailing ship, fixed to the top of the lower mast.
Topmast is usually technical / historical / literary in register.
Topmast: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɒp.mɑːst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɑːp.mæst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not to be found in the maintop (historical naval slang implying ignorance, as a landsman wouldn't venture up the mast)”
- “A lubber's hole (the safe way past the topmast platform, implying taking the easy way out)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ship's mast as a layered cake: the BOTtom layer is the 'lower mast', the TOP layer is the 'topmast', and on top of that is the 'topgallant' (fancy top).
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY/STRUCTURE IS VERTICALITY. The ship's rigging is a vertical hierarchy of components (lower mast -> topmast -> topgallant -> royal).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'topmast'?