topgallant

1 of 2

adjective

top·​gal·​lant (ˌ)täp-ˈga-lənt How to pronounce topgallant (audio) tə-ˈga- How to pronounce topgallant (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a part next above the topmast and below the royal mast
topgallant sails
the topgallant mast

topgallant

2 of 2

noun

1
archaic : the topmost point : summit
… the high topgallant of my joy …William Shakespeare
2
: a topgallant mast or sail

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

top entry 1 + gallant entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1514, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1561, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of topgallant was in 1514

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Cite this Entry

“Topgallant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topgallant. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

topgallant

noun
top·​gal·​lant
(ˈ)täp-ˈgal-ənt
tə-ˈgal-
: a mast or sail next above the topmast or topsail
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