mizzen

1 of 2

noun

miz·​zen ˈmi-zᵊn 

variants or less commonly mizen

1

: a fore-and-aft sail set on the mizzenmast

2

: mizzenmast

mizzen

2 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly mizen

: of or relating to the mizzenmast

Examples of mizzen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Elsewhere, a dining table converts into a puzzle and craft table, while the owner’s suite wraps around the mizzen mast and connects directly to a private study designed for working remotely during extended voyages. — Dea Jusufi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

But the higher volumes required technical advances, including a retractable 25-foot-long keel, a hybrid power-management system, and a towering 221-foot main mast and 199-foot mizzen to handle enormous sail areas. — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

To me, this ship has a history and a story in its own right,’’ 32-year-old Don Heminitz said the other day while at work on the mizzen shrouds, which to a landlubber like me are ropes that help support the masts. — BostonGlobe.com, 30 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mesan, probably from Old Spanish mesana sail set amidships, from Catalan mitjana, from feminine of mitjan of the middle, from Latin medianus — more at median

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mizzen

• kisan
• nisan
• prison
• risen
• arisen
• imprison

Kids Definition

mizzen

1 of 2 noun

miz·​zen

variants also mizen

ˈmiz-ᵊn 

1

: a fore-and-aft sail set on the mizzenmast

2

: mizzenmast

mizzen

2 of 2 adjective

variants also mizen

: of or relating to the mizzenmast