bowsprit
noun
bow·sprit
ˈbau̇-ˌsprit 
British usually ˈbō-
: a large spar projecting forward from the stem of a ship
Examples of bowsprit in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Guests can read books in bowsprit nets or partake in a village dance that is centuries removed from a Hawaiian hula show.
—
Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
On at least two occasions during CVN-77’s maiden voyage, all of the heads – the naval term for toilets dating back to the days of sailing ships when the place for the crew to relieve themselves was all the way forward on either side of the bowsprit – were out of service.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Once the vessel has anchored in a quiet cove, evening activities might include lobster bakes on the beach or impromptu leaps from the bowsprit into the bracing Atlantic Ocean below.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Among the improvements Lawson made was removing the bowsprit, a pole used to hoist big sails.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 28 July 2023
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Tristan Rutherford, Robb Report, 26 Jan. 2026
On at least two occasions during CVN-77’s maiden voyage, all of the heads – the naval term for toilets dating back to the days of sailing ships when the place for the crew to relieve themselves was all the way forward on either side of the bowsprit – were out of service.
—Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
Once the vessel has anchored in a quiet cove, evening activities might include lobster bakes on the beach or impromptu leaps from the bowsprit into the bracing Atlantic Ocean below.
—Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Among the improvements Lawson made was removing the bowsprit, a pole used to hoist big sails.
—Hayes Gardner, Baltimore Sun, 28 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Bowsprit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowsprit. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bowsprit
noun
bow·sprit
ˈbau̇-ˌsprit
: a large pole for sails sticking out from the bow of a ship
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