| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| aftermast | In a sailing ship carrying multiple masts, the mast set closest to the stern. Also called the mizzenmast in a three-masted sailing vessel. |
| foremast | The forward-most mast on a sailing vessel with two or more masts. |
| mainmast | The principal mast of a sailing ship. |
| mast | A long wooden or metal pole or spar, usually vertical, on the deck or keel of a ship, that supports spars and sails. On a sailing ship, supported on the keelson. |
| master | The captain of a merchant ship. |
| mizzenmast | The third mast from the bow or the mast aft of the mainmast in a sailing ship. |
| topmast | An upper, secondary mast on a sailing vessel, supported by a heavier, lower mast. |