rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryyardSail-supporting spar
noun

yard

A long spar mounted across a mast to support a sail.

The sail hangs from a yard across the mast.

Etymology
yardOld Englishrod or stick

The rod-word directly supplies the nautical spar-name. A yard is the long crosswise piece that supports a sail.

More examples

  • Sailors worked along the yard.
  • Several yards supported the square sails.
  • The storm damaged the upper yard.

Forms

yard · yards

Similar words

spar
The broader class of poles supporting a ship's rigging.
boom
A spar typically attached along the lower edge of a sail.