bowsprit
A strong pole or spar that projects forward from the stem (the front) of a sailing vessel. It is primarily used to extend the forestays and provide an anchor point for headsails like the jib.
Examples
3 of 5The captain stood near the front of the ship, looking out past the wooden bowsprit.
The captain stood near the front of the ship, looking out past the wooden bowsprit.
Specifications for the vessel's restoration require a new bowsprit crafted from seasoned oak.
Specifications for the vessel's restoration require a new bowsprit crafted from seasoned oak.
Check out that massive bowsprit; it must be twenty feet long!
Check out that massive bowsprit; it must be twenty feet long!
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'bow' (front of the ship) and a 'sprit' (like a sprout). The bowsprit 'sprouts' out of the front of the bow.
Quick Quiz
The sailor climbed out onto the ______ to adjust the lines for the jib sail.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bowsprit
Examples
The captain stood near the front of the ship, looking out past the wooden bowsprit.
everydayThe captain stood near the front of the ship, looking out past the wooden bowsprit.
Specifications for the vessel's restoration require a new bowsprit crafted from seasoned oak.
formalSpecifications for the vessel's restoration require a new bowsprit crafted from seasoned oak.
Check out that massive bowsprit; it must be twenty feet long!
informalCheck out that massive bowsprit; it must be twenty feet long!
The structural integrity of the bowsprit is essential for maintaining the tension of the forestay rigging.
academicThe structural integrity of the bowsprit is essential for maintaining the tension of the forestay rigging.
Our marine supply company offers custom carbon-fiber bowsprit extensions for modern racing yachts.
businessOur marine supply company offers custom carbon-fiber bowsprit extensions for modern racing yachts.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
over the bowsprit
over the bowsprit
lashed to the bowsprit
lashed to the bowsprit
the tip of the bowsprit
the tip of the bowsprit
Often Confused With
The bow is the entire front section of a ship, while the bowsprit is specifically the pole sticking out from it.
A figurehead is a decorative statue located just below the bowsprit.
Usage Notes
The word is highly specific to nautical contexts. It is used when describing historical sailing ships or modern racing yachts that use extensions for large sails.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misspell it as 'bowspirit' because they associate it with the 'spirit' of the ship, but the correct ending is 'sprit'.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'bow' (front of the ship) and a 'sprit' (like a sprout). The bowsprit 'sprouts' out of the front of the bow.
Word Origin
Derived from the Middle Dutch word 'boegspriet', where 'boeg' means bow and 'spriet' means a spear or pole.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The bowsprit is a classic image in pirate literature and 18th-century maritime history, often being the place where the figurehead was mounted.
Quick Quiz
The sailor climbed out onto the ______ to adjust the lines for the jib sail.
Correct!
The correct answer is: bowsprit
Related Words
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
people
A1People refers to a group of human beings or the general public. It is the standard plural form of the word 'person'.
put
A1To move something into a particular place or position. It is a fundamental verb used to describe the act of placing an object or setting a situation in a specific location.
mean
A1To have a specific sense or significance, especially when explaining a word or sign. It can also describe a person's intention or the importance of something to someone.
keep
A1To continue to have or hold something in your possession or at your disposal. It also means to remain in a specific state, condition, or position without changing.
begin
A1To start doing something or for an event to happen for the first time. It is often used to describe the first point of a process or activity.
seem
A1To give the impression of being something or having a particular quality based on what you see or hear. It is used to describe an appearance or feeling that may or may not be the actual truth.
help
A1To make it easier for someone to do something by offering your services, resources, or support. It can involve physical effort, providing information, or giving money to assist a person or a cause.
talk
A1To speak in order to give information or express ideas, feelings, or thoughts. It typically involves a conversation between two or more people or a person addressing an audience.
start
A1To begin doing something or to cause something to happen for the first time. It is frequently used when talking about movements, journeys, or making a machine or engine begin to work.
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