What does yardarm mean?
A yardarm is a horizontal spar associated with a ship's mast and sail. In nautical terminology, it may refer to the projecting spar that carries a sail or to one of the supports or arms by which a yard is suspended. The word is especially associated with traditional sailing ships, where large yards and complex rigging carried square sails. In descriptions of such vessels, terms such as “main yardarm” identify a particular spar or support, while “yardarm rigging” refers to the ropes and fittings connected with it. Although the word can be understood by modern readers through the familiar words “yard” and “arm,” it remains largely confined to nautical, historical, and technical contexts. It is more specialized than the general word “yard,” which can denote any horizontal spar as well as enclosed areas around buildings. Yardarm is therefore useful chiefly when discussing the construction and equipment of sailing vessels.
nounIn nautical use, a yardarm is a horizontal spar or beam extending from a mast to support or carry a sail; in some descriptions, the term also refers to one of the arms or supports by which a yard is suspended.
- A horizontal spar extending from a ship's mast, used to support or carry a sail; the term may also denote an arm or support from which a yard is suspended.
"The crew repaired the rigging that secured the main yardarm before the ship sailed."
"The main yardarm had to be secured with fresh rope before the storm reached the coast."
"A drawing of the rigging shows how each yardarm is attached to the mast and sail."
The regular plural is “yardarms.”
"The riggers replaced several damaged yardarms and their associated ropes."
A yardarm is nautical hardware with a poetic name: a horizontal spar projecting from a mast to carry a sail.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of yardarm
Yardarm is an English compound formed from “yard” and “arm.” “Yard” derives from Old English gierd, meaning a rod or pole, while “arm” comes through Old English from Latin armus, referring to the upper arm and, by extension, a projecting limb or support. The compound developed as a nautical term for the spars and supports associated with a ship's yard and sail.
How yardarm is actually used
Yardarm is a specialist nautical term, used mainly in descriptions of traditional sailing vessels, rigging, and maritime history. It is uncommon in general modern English.
Easily confused with yardarm
A yard is the horizontal spar itself, while a yardarm is the nautical term for the spar or its supporting arm associated with a mast and sail.