Mast

Pronunciation: /mæst/

Definitions of mast

noun a tall upright post, spar, or other structure on a ship or boat, in sailing vessels generally carrying a sail or sails

Example Sentences

A1 The ship's mast was tall and strong.

A2 Sailors climbed up the mast to adjust the sails.

B1 The mast of the flagpole was damaged in the storm.

B2 The radio mast transmitted signals across the ocean.

C1 The mast of the ship was intricately carved with designs.

C2 The mast of the yacht was made of sturdy aluminum for maximum durability.

Examples of mast in a Sentence

formal The ship's mast stood tall against the clear blue sky.

informal I climbed to the top of the mast to get a better view of the ocean.

slang I can't believe he actually tried to jump off the mast into the water!

figurative She felt like the mast of a ship, strong and steady in the face of adversity.

Grammatical Forms of mast

• past tense: masted
• plural: masts
• comparative: more mast
• superlative: most mast
• present tense: mast
• future tense: will mast
• perfect tense: have masted
• continuous tense: am masting
• singular: mast
• positive degree: mast
• infinitive: to mast
• gerund: masting
• participle: masting

Origin and Evolution of mast

First Known Use: 0015 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'mast' originated from the Old English word 'mæst', which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'mastaz'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to refer to the fruit of forest trees like beech and oak, the term 'mast' later evolved to specifically mean the nuts or fruits that served as food for swine. Eventually, the term came to be associated with the tall vertical spar on a ship that supports the sails.