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

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

Adjective

Photo : Breed Media Movie Magic When the sun sets, Black Pearl’s mizzen mast projector screen—the largest exterior cinema on any yacht—comes into its own. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025

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