mast

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈmast 

1

: a long pole or spar rising from the keel or deck of a ship and supporting the yards, booms, and rigging

2

: a slender vertical or nearly vertical structure (such as an upright post in various cranes)

3

: a disciplinary proceeding at which the commanding officer of a naval unit hears and disposes of cases against enlisted men

called also captain's mast

masted

ˈma-stəd 

adjective

mast

2 of 3

verb

masted; masting; masts

transitive verb

: to furnish with a mast

mast

3 of 3

noun (2)

: fruits, seeds, or nuts (such as berries, pine seeds, or acorns) of trees or shrubs that serve as food for wild or domestic animals and typically accumulate on the ground

Phrases

before the mast

1

: forward of the foremast

2

: as a common sailor

Examples of mast in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The term half-staff - also known as half-mast - refers to flying a flag partway down a flagpole or ship's mast. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

The Union Jack over Buckingham Palace was lowered to half mast in a sign of respect following the announcement of the duchess’ death, and the traditional framed announcement was placed on the royal residence’s railings. —Max Foster, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

Verb

Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman refuses to lower county flags half mast for Carter. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025

The salvage plans include ensuring that the hull, doors and mast stay intact to aid in the investigation. —Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English mæst; akin to Old High German mast mast, Latin malus

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English mæst; akin to Old High German mast food, mast, and probably to Old English mete food — more at meat

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1513, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mast

• captain's mast
• half-mast
• mast cell
• mast year

Rhymes for mast

• bast
• blast
• cast
• caste
• classed
• clast
• fast
• gassed
• gast
• glassed
• grassed
• hast

Kids Definition

mast

noun

ˈmast

1

: a long pole that rises from the bottom of a ship or boat and supports the sails and rigging

2

: an upright tall pole (as on a crane)

masted

ˈmas-təd

adjective

Medical Definition

MAST

abbreviation

military anti-shock trousers