Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

crow's nest

noun
|Updated on: 29 Jun 2018

Definition of crow's nest

: a partly enclosed platform high on a ship's mast for use as a lookout; also : a similar lookout (as for traffic control)

See crow's nest defined for English-language learners

See crow's nest defined for kids

Recent Examples of crow's nest from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'crow's nest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of crow's nest

1818

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

CROW'S NEST Defined for English Language Learners

crow's nest

noun

Definition of crow's nest for English Language Learners

  • : a platform with short walls that is high on a ship's mast and from which you can see things (such as land and other ships) that are far away

CROW'S NEST Defined for Kids

crow's nest

noun

Definition of crow's nest for Students

: a partly enclosed place to stand high on the mast of a ship for use as a lookout

Learn More about crow's nest

  1. See words that rhyme with crow's nest

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up crow's nest? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

volatile

play

subject to rapid or unexpected change

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  2. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  3. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  4. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  5. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

crow's nest

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games